Princess Charlotte and Prince George must follow strict dinner rule when out with William and Kate

Parents across the country will look on with envy at the news royal children do not eat at the same table when out with their mums and dads, as nannies ‘educate their palates’ nearby

When it comes eating out on special occasions, it is said to be straight to the kids’ table for Princess Charlotte and her brothers Prince George and Prince Louis.

The royal children don’t get to sit with their mum and dad at official dinners – and that even includes at Christmas. Instead, even when they approach their teenage years, they have their food away from the adults – something many envious parents of lively little ones can totally understand.

There are no iPads to keep them occupied of course, so Kate Middleton and Prince William will have to hope their little ones are well behaved while not sitting with their royal parents. Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for both the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William’s mother Princess Diana before her death, said it was the nannies’ job to “educate” the young royals’ palates.

But according to the former staffer, getting William and his brother Prince Harry to eat their vegetables as children was no easy task. He revealed the siblings were bribed into eating vegetables during royal meal times, and if that didn’t work, he would disguise veggies in their meals by hiding it in their favourite foods.

There’s some welcome time apart when it comes to royal dinners (Image: Millie Pilkington/Kensington Pal)

He told Harper’s Bazaar the royal kids aren’t allowed to sit with the adults until they have “learned the art of polite conversation” – and often, the wait can go on until they become teenagers. He said: “The children always ate in the nursery until they were old enough to conduct themselves properly at the dining table.”

He also revealed how Prince William and Harry had to strike deals before they ate their greens. He told Hello: “The Royal nursery wasn’t just for educating the minds of the young royals but educating their palates, too. Nanny always had control of the menu and made sure they ate balanced meals that included not only lots of healthy vegetables but introduced them to new grown-up dishes too.”

The young royals have very strict rules when it comes to who they can eat with at big events and it’s never mum and dad (Image: Getty Images)

He revealed he would disguise vegetables in the young royals’ meals by hiding it in their favourite food, for example, sneaking it into mash potato. And while Princess Diana was very supportive of her boys’ healthy eating habits she would also sneak them out to McDonald’s as a special treat, like all good mums do!

It’s not just royal children affected by rules surrounding food and mealtimes. While some of these items are common in most British kitchens, others are considered “rarer” and are avoided due to the risk of illness, while another is a “no-no” because of the King‘s principles.

Two very common items usually found in our kitchens – onions and garlic – are mostly avoided by members of the Royal Family. Former Royal chef John Higgins once revealed: “At Buckingham Palace , you don’t cook with garlic. I suppose, in case you get the royal burp.”

Another food the royals are prohibited from eating while attending Royal events or tours is shellfish – to avoid the risk of food poisoning. Former butler to King Charles, Grant Harrold, has previously disclosed: “When dining, the Royal Family has to be careful with shellfish due to shellfish poisoning, due to their work schedules.”

He went on: “It is a very sensible move to abandon having seafood when out and about on public duties. We don’t want a member of the Royal Family having a serious reaction to food poisoning. Especially if [they] are on an overseas tour. Therefore you will not normally find this on the royal menu.”