Has King Charles given up on his vegan roots experiment?
Has King Charles given up on his vegan roots experiment?
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At the height of the craze for all things vegan, King Charles III’s beloved Highgrove house rolled out pan-fried roots for Christmas lunch. The earthy dish was in keeping with the monarch’s green lifestyle, which sees him going two days a week without meat and one without dairy.
However his dalliance with an alternative Christmas dinner for paying guests at his and Queen Camilla’s private house and gardens has since been replaced by more traditional fare. The move is in keeping with the cooling of interest in veganism on the British high street, with one example being Pret closing its last three vegetarian branches in February.
![[File photo dated 05/06/13 of a general view of the gardens at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday September 15, 2022. The King is spending a private day of reflection at his beloved Highgrove retreat. See PA story DEATH Queen. Photo credit should read: Chris Jackson/PA Wire]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_125496557-8bbf.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Greggs followed three months later by axing its vegan steak bake. Highgrove was part of the original boom in animal-free eating two years ago when it offered diners a turkey-free, vegan-centric menu. Braised short rib of beef was one of only two meat options on the list for festive lunch at the royal residence in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
![[Staff at Highgrove Gardens dress a Christmas tree in the Ante Room as they prepare to welcome the public for Christmas celebrations in the Orchard Room, the estate's dedicated entertaining space. Picture date: Wednesday November 13, 2024. PA Photo. The King's Foundation are the custodians of Highgrove Gardens, with all proceeds from Christmas lunches and shopping at Highgrove ploughed back into the work of the charity founded by the King, which runs education workshops onsite for traditional and endangered crafts such as millinery, embroidery and woodworking. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_230861377-820c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Roast sea bream fillet and the vegan pan-fried roots and chestnut cake were the other options for yuletide mains. Starters included vegan celeriac and truffle soup, country-style venison terrine and house-cured salmon with gin and caper cream, cucumber and croutons.
The creative offerings were in keeping with the king’s green credentials which include founding organic food brand Duchy Originals, which now partners with Waitrose. The King’s Foundation has previously spoken of ‘sustainable dishes characteristic of the Cotswolds’ and ‘the rich larder offered by Highgrove Gardens and many brilliant local farmers and producers’ in relation to the festive menu.
