As King Charles III prepares for a landmark trip to the United States, royal watchers and former palace staffers have been sharing fresh insight into the monarch’s dining preferences.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to travel to the US on April 27 for a four-day visit tied to celebrations marking 250 years since the country’s independence from Britain.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson, speaking via Reuters, framed the trip as an opportunity to reaffirm cooperation between the two nations amid wider global pressures.
“The visit… recognises the challenges the United Kingdom, the United States, and our allies face across the world. This visit is a moment to reaffirm and renew our bilateral ties as we address those challenges together, in the UK’s national interest.”
The visit is expected to include time in Washington, where the royal couple will reportedly meet President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a private tea, followed by a White House ceremony and a state dinner.
With the formal dinner ahead, attention has turned to what might appear on the menu—and what could be deliberately left off—based on the King and Queen’s known tastes.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who previously cooked for Queen Elizabeth II as well as Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry, suggested the US dinner would likely prioritize American ingredients over distinctly British staples.
“I wouldn’t expect to see clotted cream on this banquet menu from President Trump, because that’s British produce,” Darren McGrady, who was a personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II as well as Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry, told Fox News Digital.
McGrady also pointed to a key difference between the King and Queen’s dessert preferences, while outlining several foods Charles is known to enjoy.
“America has some incredible produce. But having said that, the palace would have been in touch, saying, ‘King Charles is not a great lover of chocolate, but the queen loves chocolate.’ Anything with chocolate on the menu, Camilla will love.
“If there’s a cheese course, the king will adore that, as he loves cheese. He also loves honey, grilled vegetables, risottos and especially lamb. There’s incredible lamb here. He would be honored if there was lamb.”
Beyond specific dishes, McGrady emphasized that seasonal, locally sourced produce is likely to resonate most with the King.
“For the king, it’s local produce. It’s seeing goods coming into season, like asparagus, artichokes, peas, spinach and broccoli. The king would absolutely be thrilled if any of those were on the menu.”
Royal commentator Amanda Matta echoed that view, noting that these high-profile occasions are carefully planned while still aiming to feel personal.
“These events are tightly choreographed but also meant to feel warm and welcoming.
“Charles has long taken an interest in food, particularly seasonal ingredients. So, a thoughtfully curated American menu would absolutely appeal to him. Unlike a British state dinner, which retains a lot of continental French inspiration, a U.S. state dinner will feature a menu that’s American right down to its core.”
Matta added that the food served at such events typically needs to be practical for a room full of conversation—designed to be eaten neatly, without anything overly messy, risky, or too experimental.
Buckingham Palace formally confirmed the schedule earlier this month, including an additional stop after the US leg of the tour.
“The King and Queen will visit the United States of America from 27th – 30th April and His Majesty will visit Bermuda from 1st – 2nd May 2026.”
The trip is also set against a backdrop of reported strain between Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump has criticized Starmer over what he described as insufficient action related to the war with Iran, which began on February 28.