King Charles’ six egg rule that’s scrambling the internet

King Charles III, much like his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, has earned a reputation as a discerning some might say fussy eater. 

Both he and Queen Camilla are known to favour familiar dishes prepared to exacting standards, with the monarch preferring even the simplest meals to have a touch of luxury.

According to royal author Tom Quinn, in his book Yes Ma’am on the history of royal servants, he has a surprising culinary rule when it comes to one particular mealtime. 

For his afternoon tea, Charles reportedly insists his eggs be cooked to a very specific standard.

In his book Yes Ma’am, royal author Tom Quinn claims King Charles has a rather unusual approach to ensuring his eggs are cooked to perfection. 

“He had never once cooked his own eggs and muffins,” Quinn writes. 

“Because, like many people, Charles is fussy about how his own eggs are cooked and because eggs are notoriously difficult to get just right he insists that six eggs should be prepared so at least two will be exactly as he likes them.”

It’s not the first time the King’s breakfast habits have been the subject of royal intrigue. 

Years ago, journalist Jeremy Paxman alleged that he had seven boiled eggs cooked for breakfast, a claim swiftly denied by the Palace, which clarified the monarch actually prefers coddled eggs, a particularly delicate style of soft-boiled egg. 

This time, however, the Palace has remained silent on whether King’s six egg ritual is part of his afternoon tea routine.

Regardless of whether they’re served at breakfast or tea, eggs remain a powerhouse addition to the 76-year-old monarch’s diet. 

HELLO!’s Senior Editor and accredited nutritionist Faye James calls them “an excellent source of complete protein, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids.”