Being a princess isn't all fun and games. In fact, there's a relatively small amount of fun and games compared to never-ending hard work it takes to live the life of a British royal. From the innumerable photo-shoots to an inescapable press escort, royalty isn't always as enjoyable as it's cracked up to be. And Express, a British newspaper, recently revealed that becoming a princess meant that Meghan Markle had to give up several foods most of us hold most dear.
Apparently, when you're an acting member of the British Royal Family, the Queen gets to decide what's on the menu, and there's one ingredient the Queen absolutely isn't going to serve: garlic. This is probably an especially harsh blow to Markle, who told Today earlier this year that her favorite food is "Filipino-style chicken adobo."
Why won't the Queen serve garlic? Many suspect dual reasons: trying to eat healthier (at the age of 92, Queen Elizabeth knows a thing or two about treating your body right), and maintaing the royal image by avoiding foods that give you bad breath. Along those lines, onions have been similarly excommunicated from the Windsor kitchens.
Darren McGrady, who holds the legendary position of royal chef at Buckingham Palace, commented to Express:
We can never serve anything with garlic or too much onions. The Queen would never have garlic on the menu.
When it comes to maintaining the royal image, another thing the Queen tries to avoid is the runs (or "diarrhea" as they are commonly known). In an effort to avoid such impropriety, members of the royal family aren't allowed to eat shellfish, drink tap water, or consume "any food that is too spicy or exotic."
So what does the Queen go for when it's time for a meal? According to Refinery 29:
...the Queen sticks to simple things like salad, vegetables, and poached fish when dining. She bans starches, like potatoes or pasta, when it comes to lunch menus and likes to eat her finger sandwiches sans crust, which is weirdly endearing.
But before you give up your dreams of becoming the newest duchess at the royal court, remember: these restrictions apply only during official royal functions, when Meghan Markle and the rest of the family are representing the entire nation. When Harry and Meghan go home, garlic is BACK ON THE MENU!
H/T - Refinery 29, Getty Images
