It’s no secret that King Charles III has a refined palate and a particular eye for detail, especially when it comes to food. But now, thanks to a former royal insider, fans have been given a charming glimpse into one of the monarch’s lesser-known indulgences—and it’s refreshingly simple.
Grant Harrold, who previously served as a royal butler, recently revealed that His Majesty’s favourite sweet treat isn’t anything overly lavish. In fact, it’s a humble British classic. “The King’s favourite biscuit is a Bath Oliver biscuit. I used to give him a packet for his birthday!” he shared in a conversation with Hello! magazine.
The revelation might come as a surprise to some royal watchers, especially considering the King’s known dietary preferences and often selective eating habits. Yet, the Bath Oliver—a traditional English biscuit known for its crisp texture and subtly sweet flavour—has clearly earned its place in the royal pantry.
While King Charles opts for this understated biscuit, the late Queen Elizabeth II had a sweeter tooth. Her favourite indulgence? The chocolate biscuit cake—a dessert she reportedly adored so much, it often followed her from palace to palace.
Harrold didn’t just stop at biscuits. He offered more insights into the beverage preferences of the royals too, noting a clear family divide when it comes to morning drinks.
While Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Prince Harry are all self-declared coffee fans, King Charles’ routine steers in a more traditional direction.
“The late Queen, Prince Philip, and King Charles definitely prefer a cup of tea over coffee. They were tea lovers to the very end. They probably had coffee from time to time, but tea was their go-to,” Harrold explained.
He added a rare detail about Her Late Majesty’s habits, saying, “The only time I saw the Queen having a freshly brewed cup of coffee was after an event in the evening time.”
Still, when it came to hosting guests at Buckingham Palace, the royal family knew how to strike the right balance. Coffee was typically offered to visitors, served alongside biscuits as part of a classic British welcome.