Charles and Camilla's 'deeply competitive' hobby they've both been obsessed with

Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles, has shared that the King and Queen are both "deeply competitive" when it comes to foraging for a particular type of vegetable

King Charles and Queen Camilla have a unique and surprising shared interest that sparks a strong competitive spirit between them, according to Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles. The monarch, 75, has long been known for his love of fine cuisine, but it appears that he and his wife have a special fondness for a particular vegetable - and a passion for foraging for wild mushrooms.

In his new cookbook, Cooking and the Crown, which features recipes inspired by the Royal family from Queen Victoria to King Charles, Tom reveals that the couple are "deeply competitive" about their mushroom finds. In the introduction to his recipe for fresh pappardelle with porcini mushrooms, Tom writes: "Wild mushrooms are somewhat of an obsession, with Charles III and Queen Camilla deeply competitive about their hauls."

It is reported that Charles turned to this hobby on the day his mother, Queen Elizabeth, passed away at Balmoral on September 8, 2022, spending an hour by her bedside before heading out to gather mushrooms alone on the nearby Birkhall estate.

Tom Parker Bowles has previously praised Charles' commitment to environmentally friendly food, saying: "His Majesty The King is a true food hero. There is nothing he doesn't know about rare breeds of cattle, heritage varieties of plum and apple, the joys of mutton and wild mushrooms, and the oozing allure of a stinky cheese."

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"Every monarch has had their own tastes and preferences, and the King's interest in sustainable, regenerative farming is well known, and was way ahead of its time. His advice is invaluable, his knowledge profound.", reports the Mirror.

The Duchess also kept a tight ship when it came to her children's eating habits, with the author stating: "We grew up eating locally, seasonally and organically, way before they became the overused buzzwords they are today my mother shopped at the butcher, fishmonger, bakery, and greengrocer," during an interview with You magazine.

Treats weren't off the table altogether, however, as he recalled: "Ice Magic! Birds Eye Chicken Pies! Butterscotch Angel Delight! And huge variety packs of Monster Munch! We wanted it all, although my mother was fairly strict about what we were allowed."