Late Queen's favourite breakfast dish and King Charles' unique morning routine

The late Queen was not one for lavish feasts, preferring lighter meals brimming with fruits and veggies. It might surprise you, but she had a penchant for certain breakfast items that could stir up a debate across the country.

Charles Oliver, an ex member of royal staff, revealed the story behind one particular dish in his book Dinner at Buckingham Palace. And it seems unique breakfast preferences run in the family, as King Charles also sticks to an unusual morning ritual.

Writing before the late monarch's death, Oliver explained that the Queen "has been partial to kippers since the war years". He shares an anecdote of her and Princess Margaret being lured by the "compelling aroma" during a wander around Windsor Castle.

He goes on: "They politely knocked on the door and were welcomed into the old-fashion kitchen with its great iron oven range and its frying kippers. Mrs Bruce gave the princesses their first taste of kipper, and showed them how to cook the fish as well.", reports OK!.

King Charles, too, has his own distinctive breakfast habits, famously taking his "breakfast box" with him on all his travels.

Before the Queen passed away, Royal chef Graham Newbould shared some insights into the dietary preferences of Prince Charles: "Prince Charles has a healthier option. He'd have homemade bread, a bowl of fresh fruit, fresh fruit juices."

"Wherever the Prince goes in the world, the breakfast box goes with him. He has six different types of honey, some special mueslis, his dried fruit and anything that's a bit special that he is a bit fussy about."

Ex-royal chef Darren McGrady, who served the Royal household for over fifteen years, disclosed another one of King Charles' meticulous breakfast habits. McGrady mentioned how Charles prefers to have the pantry stocked with items from his own estates.

Regarding specific breakfast details, McGrady recounted: "The instruction was to put two plums and a little juice into the bowl and send it into him for breakfast. I'd send in two plums and he would take one so it would come back out after breakfast and I'd put the other plum back into the jar and save it."

McGrady recalled an instance of trying to adjust to the King's habits: "One morning I thought, 'ok, he only eats one for breakfast,' so I only put one plum into the bowl and sent it out into the dining room. The attending [waiter] came through and said, 'can His Royal Highness have two please? ' So I had to keep sending two in every morning."