Why Prince Charles will skip the 'ridiculous' lunch menu at COP26

Prince Charles is unlikely to try out the COP26 lunch menu

Why Prince Charles will skip the 'ridiculous' lunch at COP26
(Image credit: Getty)

Prince Charles is unlikely to eat lunch at the COP26 event this week, despite following a gruelling work schedule. 


Prince Charles’ unusual lunch habits have long been the subject of public interest, even getting a mention in the infamous scene of Princess Diana meeting Camilla Parker-Bowles in The Crown Season Four

The 72-year-old is known to skip the midday meal most days, preferring to line his stomach in the morning with a protein-rich breakfast that'll (hopefully) keep him satisfied until dinnertime. His strange eating pattern has even been acknowledged by Clarence House, who confirmed that Charles doesn't eat lunch in a website post celebrating his 70th birthday.  

rince Charles, Prince of Wales eats an oyster as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall looks on during their visit to the Whitstable Oyster Festival on July 29, 2013 in Whitstable, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Prince Charles reportedly hates eating lunch 

(Image credit: Getty)

According to former royal correspondent Gordon Rayner, the eldest of the Queen's children believes that lunch is a 'luxury' that interferes with his busy work schedule. 

"He eats a late breakfast and works through," the Telegraph editor revealed, after traveling the world with Charles. "I found this out the hard way, by going hungry when I started covering royal tours and watching enviously as his long-suffering staff produced snacks from pockets so they could eat on the go."

Prince Charles speaks to Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina

Prince Charles speaks to Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at COP26 2021

(Image credit: Getty)

With so many VIP people to meet at COP26, it's unlikely that the Prince has veered away from his intermittent fasting over the past few days. Aside from enjoying a cheeky whiskey, there's been no sign of the royal heir grabbing a bite to eat at the event—despite the presence of five catering joints on the premises. 

The Prince's tastes aren't exactly in line with the COP26 menu options either, many of which include meat, dairy, and fish. Organizers of the event have been heavily criticized online for selling high carbon dishes like venison and beef burgers, with several people slamming the availability of animal-based meals at an environmental conference as hypocritical. 

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Charles announced last month that he has significantly reduced his animal product intake in response to the climate crisis, revealing that he avoids meat two days a week and ditches dairy on one day a week. He went on the urge the public to follow suit and rethink their diet, which is considered to be one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. 

"If more did that you would reduce a lot of the pressure," he added. 

As long as we don't have to skip lunch Charles, we're totally on board. 

 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.