The Odd Way Queen Elizabeth Eats Bananas
British royals, and those lucky enough to share their company, enjoy the epitome of luxury living. But while reveling in the beauty and sophistication of palaces and history would be a glamorous experience like no other, certain royal habits are perhaps beyond the comprehension of mere ordinary folk — with food rules being some of the oddest.
We've covered many of the royal family's curious culinary routines, but perhaps no royal eating habit is stranger than the way Queen Elizabeth II eats bananas. Today reveals that fruit is the most popular dessert option among members of the royal family (especially apples, peaches, pineapples, pears, and bananas — with grapes claiming the top spot as the ultimate treat), so being able to eat the healthy snacks with grace is crucial.
Despite the tendency for bananas' sometimes mushy texture to make its way onto one's hands, there are no sticky fingers arising from snapping open stubborn bananas in any of Her Majesty's palaces — instead, the queen's method for eating the bendy yellow fruit involves the safety and complexity of a knife and fork, according to a YouTube video by former royal chef Darren McGrady.
Using a knife and fork is a polite way to eat fruit
In the YouTube video titled "You won't believe how The Queen eats pineapple... and other fruits!," former royal chef Darren McGrady explains that Queen Elizabeth will use a knife and fork to chop the top and bottom off a banana before slicing open the peel to get the fruit out. She then cuts the banana into small, coin-shaped pieces to make it easier to eat.
McGrady adds that this method allows royal guests to eat bananas while politely continuing to engage in conversation (as well as avoiding the rudeness of "eat[ing] a banana like a monkey.") Today reports that eating fruit with a knife and fork is also part of official royal dining rules, which McGrady's video reveals makes grapes a particularly attractive option for royal novices because they can be eaten by hand.
Bananas presented to the British royal family must all be of a similar size, according to McGrady's video. They must also have their stalks removed and be entirely free of any marks or damage. The royal culinary expert explains that other fruits receive a high level of care, including chefs having to polish apples until shiny and carve out pineapples ready for guests to eat.