If you thought the Royals always kick off their day with lavish spreads and grand feasts, think again. Tom Parker Bowles previously lifted the lid on the remarkably modest breakfast his mum, Queen Camilla, tucks into each morning when the temperature drops.

Whilst the dish itself is undoubtedly 'plain', Tom revealed that Her Majesty elevates it with a spoonful of one particular ingredient she produces and keeps at home. This timeless breakfast staple has even earned top marks from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for supporting heart health, owing to its excellent fibre levels.

In his book, 'Cooking & The Crown' published in 2024, Tom said: "In winter, my mother, Queen Camilla, eats porridge every day - plain, aside from a little of her own honey. The hives sit at the back of a field at Raymill, the house in which my sister and I spent the latter part of our youth."

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He then continued: "[The honey] is delicate and mild, as fine stirred into a good Darjeeling tea as it is mixed with porridge or yoghurt."

As noted, the BHF has previously placed porridge ahead of granola, corn flakes, muesli, and even bran flakes as the optimal choice for a heart-friendly breakfast. This is primarily due to a component known as 'beta-glucan' - a soluble fibre that's been associated with reduced cholesterol levels, if you consume 3g or more daily as part of a balanced diet.

However, whilst Queen Camilla prefers to prepare her porridge with full-fat milk and a pinch of salt on top, BHF advises avoiding this if you wish to gain the health benefits. Instead, it's advisable to use water or low-fat milk, whilst adding fruits such as bananas for additional sweetness.

According tothe Mirror, the BHF experts previously advised: "As well as beta-glucan, you’ll be getting the fibre from the whole grains, plus there is no added sugar or salt. Instead of adding sugar or salt to your porridge for flavour – instead, try adding a banana or other fruits for extra sweetness.

"For every 80g that you add it will be one of your five-a-day at the same time." Beyond this, it's worth noting that other scientific research has also found a connection between honey consumption and heart health.

In 2020, one studyclaimed that honey is a 'potential candidate to be explored further as a natural and dietary alternative to the management of cardiovascular disease'.

Scientists reached this conclusion after reviewing evidence to suggest that honey can act as a 'cardioprotective agent', reducing damage in cases of heart problems. However, more research is required to better understand this link.

Tom's book 'Cooking and The Crown' is a culinary homage to over a century of Royal dining, from the days of Queen Victoria to our present King Charles III. It spans extravagant meals like 'Pommes Elizabeth' and 'Pudding au Pain et aux Cerises', while also featuring an array of classic yet straightforward dishes you can try at home.

More information can be found here.

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