Sit would have been King Charles III himself who insisted: the menù of the Mews Caféthe small restaurant open to visitors of Balmoral Castle, the Scottish Royal residence, must include pizza. And he himself, who hates fast food but it’s a lover of Italian cuisine, he would collaborate with his chefs on the list of the various types now served in the restaurant. In pure Windsor style, the ingredients are chosen from those produced on the sovereign’s estate or in the surrounding areas. But some “toppings”, less traditional condiments approved by the sovereign, have caused purists to revolt.
King Charles wants a pizza with haggis, the Scottish sausage
The special pizza dedicated to the ancient castle of the Royal summer holidays was called “Balmoral” and is made with chicken, bacon and even haggis, the traditional Scottish dish based on lamb. A combination of ingredients which, horrified experts say, is far too heavy. The cost of 15 pounds per pizza, around 18 euros, was also criticized.
The vegan pizza wanted by King Charles in Balmoral
To the Mews Café di Carlo, all pizzas are prepared at the time of order and the choice includes the classic Margherita pizza and the Pepperoni (Diavola Pizza). But it is also very popular King’s Gardenor the king’s garden, prepared exclusively with vegetables grown in the Balmoral garden and approved by Charles.
Recently, the sovereign said he was passionate about vegan cuisine and asked his chefs to include it in almost all his meals and even in the menus of state receptions at Buckingham Palace.
Then-Prince Charles inspects a pizza he received during a visit to Scotland, November 2019 (Getty Images)
Would King Charles III eat a haggis pizza?
If her mother, Elizabeth II, leaned more towards the French one, Carlo, they say at court, loves Italian cuisine very much, it took so much Italian chefs in the kitchen of Buckingham Palace. And he insists that Royal kitchens take inspiration not only from recipes but also from our culinary methods. However, the suspicion that the sovereign would not be tempted by one of his own pizzas was raised by his own chefs. Who revealed: King Charles would prefer a delicate risotto to any pizza.
Carlo enjoys making pizza in an Italian restaurant in Alnwick, England, October 2001 (IPA)
Carlo’s restaurant is open almost all year round
The picturesque Mews Cafédecorated with photos of the British royal family taken over the decades, it is open, like the gift shop, even when Balmoral Castle is closed to tourists and only the woods and gardens are open to the public. With opening hours from 10am to 4pm, it has become a favorite breakfast and lunch destination even among those staying in one of the Royal cottages dotted around the estate which have been converted into holiday homes available all year round.
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