"Garlic is a no-no": Duchess of Cornwall shares secrets of the Royal meet-and-greet

Over hundreds of public engagements each year, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have likely been offered every canape under the sun.

There is one ingredient that makes their heart sink, it has emerged: garlic.

The Duchess, who appeared on a special episode of Masterchef, disclosed that garlic is a “no-no”, joking the Royal couple “have to lay off” for fear of the effects as they meet dozens of members of the public each evening.

Invited to appear on the Australian version of the show during an overseas tour earlier this year, the Duchess was asked to give contestants advice for their challenge of feeding guests at an event with Prince Charles.

Quizzed on the best ingredients to use for their selection of canapes, designed to showcase Australian food, she said: “He loves local cheeses, he is a huge cheese fan. Everything to do with cheese he’ll love.”

Eggs and local vegetables would also be welcomed, she added, telling the nine remaining cooks: “You’d definitely see a smile.”

On what she would not like to see on an approaching canape tray, the Duchess conceded: “I hate to say this but garlic. Garlic is a no-no.”

Asked by host Gary Mehigan whether that was because the Royal couple were constantly talking to people, she said: “Exactly. You just have to lay off the garlic.”

In an on-camera interview filming in April, the Duchess was also asked about her own cooking and the roast chicken her loyal children claim is the “best on the planet”.

Asked for her must-have ingredients, she said: “I always have olive oil, I love olive oil.

“I have to have tomatoes. If I don’t have fresh tomatoes, then puree.

“And I’m afraid to say even ketchup. My grandchildren are rather addicted to ketchup.”

The nine remaining contestants went on to create elaborate canapes for a Darwin evening reception which had the Prince of Wales as its guest of honour, using native ingredients including wallaby and green ants.

Meeting the show’s hosts, the Prince said of Masterchef: “My darling wife watches it.”

Praising Australian food culture and its focus on local produce, he added: “I remember all these years [ago] coming to Australia, nobody was interested in any of these things, or sustainable agriculture

“But then I came back ten years ago and suddenly the whole thing had changed.”

The Prince went on to ask contestants how they were surviving cooking in the unfamiliar outdoor kitchen at 38C, empathising that “it must be so difficult”.

Interrogating them over who had used ants as an ingredient and praising their efforts, before that week’s winner was announced, he told them: “Don’t worry, it"s always worth competing even if you don"t win.”

The episode, which has aired in Australia, will be broadcast in the UK later this year.