Tom Parker Bowles reveals he got Queen Camilla and King Charles' permission to write new book

Tom Parker Bowles' new book Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III has become a gift for not just food lovers but also royal fans. It is a culinary exploration of royal dining habits from Queen Victoria to the present day. Apart from revealing the culinary secrets of the British Royal Family, it also sheds light on the eating habits of the royals.

Tom—a food writer, broadcaster, and stepson to King Charles III—has also been doing interviews for the promotion of the book. In them, Tom not only gives insights into what is written, but also shares fascinating anecdotes and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Royal Family.

Most recently, he gave a candid interview to The Telegraph and spilt rare gems about the Royal Family. He also revealed that he had both his mother's and step-father's blessing to publish his book.

How did the royal cookbook come to be?

Indeed, while it’s not a Spare kind of tell-all book, Tom Parker Bowles still sought approval from within the royal household. His journey to writing Cooking and the Crown has been long and reluctant. For years, he resisted suggestions to write about royal cooking, fearing accusations of nepotism.

In 2022, he was asked to write a piece on historical coronation food which motivated him to get into the royal kitchen and write a book on it. Before turning the thought into reality, Tom first checked with his mother and then his stepfather. He shared:

I asked my mother if it would be OK if I wrote the book. I asked my stepfather, he said ‘Great’.

Adding that even the late Queen Elizabeth was told about the book, he said:

I asked if the book had been mentioned to the late Queen – I’m not 100 per cent [certain], but I think she said OK.

Interestingly, Tom also revealed he had met the late Queen only twice in his life. Despite his connection with the royals, he met the Queen once when he was 8 and once at his mother’s wedding. He revealed:

Everyone thinks I knew the late Queen, but we only met twice. Once when I was eight and I was scared so I curtseyed rather than bowed, and again at my mother’s wedding.

The second meeting left a lasting impression when he and his sister, sneaking out for a cigarette, were caught by the Queen herself. He said:

We heard her voice behind us saying, ‘Are you lost?’

Another big revelation he made during his interview with The Telegraph was about his brushes with paparazzi.

Dealing with the paparazzi: 'I remember being chased'

Imagine the kind of public scrutiny you can be subject to if you have links with the Royal Family! Now double it if your mother had an affair with the heir to the throne and eventually married him - that’s Tom Parker Bowles for you. From the moment Tom stepped out to the second he stepped in, there was a time in his life when the paparazzi didn’t leave his sight. Naturally, he became immune to public scrutiny and media attention.

Revealing one such incident, Tom reflected on the relentless tabloid frenzy during his youth. He described the harrowing experience of being chased at high speeds by paparazzi and witnessing his mother, now Queen Camilla, being shouted at for reactions. He recalled:

It was the very height of the tabloid era. I remember being chased at 100mph by paps trying to get a shot. My mother being screamed at to try to get a reaction. Pushing, jostling.

It was horrific, and you are protective of your mother. Counting how many paps were at the gates, to see who was watching us and taking photographs: it was all as normal as bacon and eggs in the morning. You didn’t think of it in any other way … [But] it was barbaric.

As compared to Prince Harry and William, Tom shared that his plight was a fraction to what they endured. Expressing sympathy he said:

I learned a long time ago not to put my fat fingers into the world of William and Harry. But it was appalling what they went through. I’ve had a billionth of what they’ve had to go through but hell, I sympathise.

Here are some other interesting tidbits from the interview:

He has received a Christmas invite from the King and Queen this year

Tom usually spends Christmas with his ex-wife and their kids, but he he could end up going to Sandringham this year. Tom is extended an invite every year for this but this time his mother, Camilla, has specifically asked him to come. He explained:

My mum said ‘I’d love you to come, I haven’t had Christmas with you for a long time.’

It has been a hell of a two years for them. The older you get, the more conscious you become of mortality, especially with illnesses and the rest of it.

Though unsure of the full guest list or activities, he anticipates a traditional celebration with turkey, sprouts, and church. He humorously added that he’s been asked to bring a suit and dinner jacket but has no idea what to expect beyond that.

Tom on Camilla’s resilience amid health struggles

The Queen has been recovering from pneumonia after her trip to Australia and Samoa. Tom, who said his mother is ‘tough’ and so she has bounced back to work sooner than expected. He said:

She went back to work before she should have done, but she’s fine. She’s tough. She hates that she missed Remembrance Sunday. That’s a big day for her. She just gets on with it.

He revealed that his mother has always been like that and at times even he doesn’t know where she is and gets the information from the telly or news. According to Tom, not much has changed since Camilla became the Queen except for her working harder.

Tom reveals King Charles’ alternative career

The King’s passion for organic and heritage produce has been a lifelong commitment, predating the current trends around sustainability and regenerative agriculture. Tom shared that King Charles had been supporting farmers even before it became a trendy or ‘regenerative’ was common word.

Suggesting his love for food and farming is a rare quality, he said:

There is no man – and I’m not being oily – who knows more about cheesemaking. If he wasn’t king he would be a fantastic food writer.

Read more:

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King Charles: New claims emerge that he has facilitated Prince Andrew’s stay at Royal Lodge

King Charles' private secretary allegedly retiring soon, and it could affect Prince Harry: Royal expert claims

Source used:

The Telegraph: Tom Parker Bowles: ‘I learned a long time ago not to put my fat fingers into the world of William and Harry’