As the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles’ diet and lifestyle choices have long been a topic of public interest. In recent years, there has been much speculation about whether the Prince of Wales follows a vegan diet. While Charles is an outspoken advocate for environmental causes, and has urged reducing meat consumption, the evidence is unclear on whether he is fully vegan himself.
Charles’ advocacy for sustainable agriculture
For decades, Prince Charles has been a proponent of organic farming and sustainable agriculture. He owns and operates an organic farm called Home Farm in Gloucestershire, and founded the organic food brand Duchy Originals. The Duchy of Cornwall, the estate that provides Charles’ income, reports that Home Farm has been completely organic since 2008. The prince has warned about the environmental damage caused by industrialized farming methods, and spoken about the need to make agriculture more harmonious with nature.
Beyond farming practices, Charles has urged reducing meat consumption for sustainability reasons. In 2008, he said that eating less meat could help combat climate change. This sentiment was echoed in a 2020 article he wrote for Country Life magazine regarding sustainable food production. He stated that intensive livestock farming and resource-intensive crops like soy contributed to deforestation, and suggested people could improve the environment by diversifying their diet and choosing quality meat from sustainable grass-fed livestock.
His diet preferences and lifestyle
The Prince of Wales has described himself as a “recidivist omnivore” – meaning he eats meat and other foods. However, he reportedly prefers to eat less meat and more fruits, vegetables, and organic ingredients. Clarence House, Charles’ royal residence, has said that while he is not completely vegetarian, the prince has cut down on meat consumption for many years.
In terms of dairy, Charles prefers organic milk and cheese from his own Home Farm. He has described his morning routine as starting off with homemade bread using flour ground on site, along with fruit juices from his garden and local dairy products.
Those close to Prince Charles give insight into his diet preferences as well. Former royal chef Darren McGrady said that Charles followed a pescatarian diet for years, eating fish but no meat. He would eat eggs, cheese, and dairy products. The palace kitchens also always had a selection of nuts, fruits, and fresh vegetables on hand for the prince.
Evidence against Charles being fully vegan
While the Prince of Wales has undoubtedly favored more plant-based and organic eating habits for decades, several factors indicate he is not fully vegan:
- He continues to eat dairy products, fish, and eggs according to most accounts.
- He endorses sustainable animal agriculture, not abolishing animal farming altogether.
- Cheese and milk from the cows at his organic Home Farm are frequently mentioned as part of his diet.
- He has not publicly self-identified as being vegan.
Additionally, Charles has been photographed over the years at events serving meat, such as roast chicken or beef. Had he adopted a strictly vegan diet, it is expected there would be direct confirmation from himself or palace officials, as this would represent a significant lifestyle change.
Influence on the royal diet
While Prince Charles may not follow a vegan or even vegetarian diet strictly, he has undoubtedly influenced the eating habits of the British royal family over the years:
- Queen Elizabeth II is now said to often skip meals with meat for fish or vegetarian fare.
- Charles’ son Prince William says he eats less dairy and meat products for environmental and health reasons.
- William’s children Prince George and Princess Charlotte are being raised on a diet of less processed foods.
The younger generation of royals seem to be adopting more of Charles’ stances on sustainable agriculture and organic eating. So while Charles himself may not be completely vegan, his passions have shifted attitudes at Buckingham Palace when it comes to food sourcing and reducing meat consumption.
Public perception and speculation
In the public imagination, Prince Charles is strongly identified with environmentalism and nature-friendly living. Combined with emerging trends around plant-based diets and veganism, this has led to assumptions that Charles must follow a vegan diet:
- Media stories frequently describe him as vegan without firm proof.
- He features in lists of famous vegans, even when focused on environmental rather than ethical veganism.
- As a vocal sustainable food advocate, he is an obvious poster child for vegan lifestyles.
Charles’ passions around organic farming and climate change action make it easy to ascribe a vegan identity to him. But while he champions reduced meat eating, there is no solid evidence of him personally adopting a strictly plant-based vegan diet.
The future of the royal diet
Going forward, it will be interesting to see if Prince Charles advances more vegan habits if he becomes king. And as younger generations take on greater royal duties, they may well embrace veganism more fully than Charles has:
- Prince William and Duchess Kate are strong advocates for the environment, indicating they may reduce meat and dairy.
- With greater public interest in plant-based diets, future royals may decide to become vegan.
- Charles’ principles may find fuller expression in the next monarch if attitudes continue evolving.
For now, Charles does not appear to be a strict vegan himself. But his lasting impact may be sparking a gradual shift toward more plant-based eating and sustainability awareness within the British royal family.
Conclusion
Prince Charles has championed organic food production and expressed the need for more plant-based diets for decades now. This has led to speculation and assumption that the Prince of Wales must, therefore, be vegan. However, while Charles has reduced his consumption of meat, he still eats fish, eggs, and some dairy. Accounts of his diet habits suggest he prefers sustainably raised meats and local organic produce more than adopting complete veganism. He has influenced the younger royal generation to care about the environmental impact of food choices, though. So while Charles is not a vegan himself, his passion for sustainability has been a catalyst for more eco-conscious eating among the British royals, and shaped public perception of how one would expect a “green” prince to eat.