Princess Anne Has a Pretty Unusual Food Preference, According to a Former Royal Footman
Some might even call it...bananas.


The British royals definitely don't lead a normal life, but when it comes to their food preferences, they're not exactly the most adventurous.
The Queen, for instance, likes toast with marmalade and plain fresh fish.
But her only daughter brings a little intrigue into the fold, with a truly bizarre food preference.
"Princess Anne was lovely," former royal footman Steven Kaye recalls in a Q&A with Slingo, before launching into a story that sets the Princess Royal apart in his mind (and yours, forever).
"A funny story for you: Once the chefs had cleaned up in the kitchen, you’d go and get things for breakfast and there would always be a bunch of bananas literally on the side that were black, they were left to rot, they were never put away in the fridge," Kaye says.
You see where this is going. "I remember asking who they were for and it turns out the Princess Royal only eats black bananas—the royal chef had strict instructions to serve them overripe," Kaye concludes.
Princess Anne... What? Why?
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Anyway, I thought this was amusing, and thought you might enjoy it too.
If you'd like another story, here's one that Kaye shared about the Queen forgetting her manners during a hunting lunch.
"The Queen walks in, she has a pheasant in one hand and a gun in the other, she puts them in the corner, puts the dogs in this pen and I’ve made her a gin and dubonnet—it’s one part gin, two parts dubonnet and an ice and a slice, she’d always have one of those at five o’clock—and what I found interesting is that she sat with her elbows on the table as she was eating. I just didn’t expect that," Kaye recalls.
"You’ve always had that etiquette rule, 'elbows off the table,' but if it’s good enough for the Queen, then it’s good enough for all of us. I think it’s her way of making her guests feel relaxed. She’d always sit there and pick at the food with her elbows on the table. But she would never do that at a state banquet, obviously." Phew!

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
The 'You' Season 5 Cast Features People From Joe's Past, a New Love Interest, Madcap Twins, and More
Here's what to know about the star-studded final installment of the Netflix hit.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
These J.Crew Sale Finds Basically Packed My Suitcase for Me
I'm ready for my next vacation.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Summer's Sportiest Shoe Trend Is Worth Shopping More Than Once
17 pairs from Nordstrom, Mango, and Zara I'm shopping now.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
Princess Kate Is Channeling Princess Anne's Signature Style in an Unexpected Way
The Princess of Wales is following in the no-nonsense Princess Royal's footsteps.
By Kristin Contino
-
The Unexpected Suggestion Princess Anne Gave Son-in-Law Mike Tindall Before He Married Her Daughter Zara
"Princess Anne asked me if I'd have the surgery."
By Amy Mackelden
-
No-Nonsense Princess Anne Casually Wears a 54-Year-Old Dress and a $260k Choker With an Incredible Past
As one does.
By Kristin Contino
-
This Unexpected Royal Beats The King and Queen as One of Country's Favorites in New U.K. Poll
But are we really that surprised?
By Kristin Contino
-
Princess Anne Follows in Kate Middleton's Footsteps With Emotional Hospital Visit
"Sadly, I don't have huge memories of being in here," the Princess Royal admitted.
By Kristin Contino
-
King Charles "Broke Down" Crying After an "Unusually Emotional" Conversation With Princess Anne
According to a royal aide, Anne remains Charles's "most reliable confidante."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Princess Anne Jokes She's "Jolly Lucky" to Be "More or Less" Sane After Horse Accident
"You are sharply reminded that every day is a bonus, really."
By Kristin Contino
-
Princess Anne Had the Wittiest Response to Being Asked How Many Ponies She Owns
She made the hilarious revelation while visiting the South African Riding for the Disabled Association.
By Amy Mackelden