King Charles' secret tea-time habit: You won't belive what he does

King Charles III has a very unique taste when it comes to food.

The monarch has long been known for his particular tastes, from his famously precise breakfast eggs to his habit of skipping lunch.

Now, we explore the King’s afternoon tea ritual, a simple tradition with its own distinctive flourish, as he’s a big snacker, and we don't say this, his choices say a lot.

In Spare, his 2023 memoir, Prince Harry recounted an afternoon tea at Clarence House when he introduced Meghan Markle to his father.

The Duke of Sussex wrote: "We came to a round table laid with a white cloth. Beside it stood a trolley with tea: honey cake, flapjacks, sandwiches, warm crumpets, crackers with some creamy spread, shredded basil – Pa's favourite."

The combination may sound old school, but it reflects Charles’ preference for light snacks and his passion for homegrown ingredients that satisfy his cravings.

With crackers costing around £1 and soft cheese typically around £3, it’s a snack accessible to anyone looking to bring a royal touch to their tea tray.

Nutritionist Charlotte Faure Green describes the pairing as “understated” but ideal for an afternoon snack.

She notes that the balance of carbohydrates, fat, and protein in crackers with soft cheese offers a steadier release of energy than carbohydrates alone.

What makes the snack healthy is the basil. The herb contains rosmarinic acid, a compound known for gentle calming properties and support for GABA, the neurotransmitter that helps the brain feel settled.

The effect, she says, is subtle but adds a bright, soothing note to the King’s teatime favourite.