King Charles has revealed his preference for a milder curry as he welcomed newly elected MPs and members of the House of Lords to a reception at Buckingham Palace.
The event, held in the grand Ballroom on Wednesday afternoon, saw the King and Queen joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The gathering brought together political figures from across the spectrum, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, former prime minister Theresa May, and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The King’s love of curry
Among the many conversations during the reception, Labour MP for Ealing Southall, Deirdre Costigan, spoke with the King about his appreciation for Indian cuisine. She later shared how Charles revealed his preference for milder flavours.
“He’s very knowledgeable, isn’t he?” Ms Costigan remarked.
“So I said, I’m from Ealing Southall, and straight away he was like, oh yes, he knew it was Little India, and he talked about his love of curries.
“And he also said, you’ve got a very big Sikh community there, don’t you?”
She then extended an invitation for the King to visit Ealing Southall to sample its renowned curries, adding: “I hope he will.”
When asked if the King specified what type of curry he enjoyed, Ms Costigan confirmed: “Not too strong.”
She also revealed that Charles immediately picked up on her Irish accent. “He said, you’re Irish. And he said, it would be great to get a state visit as well.”
A royal welcome for a guide dog
Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling also had a memorable moment with the King, introducing him to his guide dog, Jennie. Charles greeted the golden retriever warmly, giving her a friendly scratch behind the ears.
The King, always keen on small talk, quipped to Mr Darling: “She knows her way around the house, does she?”
Mr Darling, in turn, joked that Jennie was well aware of where to find the best food in Westminster.
The Duchess of Edinburgh, known for her longstanding support of Guide Dogs as a patron, also spent time with Jennie. Kneeling down to stroke the dog, she greeted her with a delighted: “Oh my goodness, I’m your patron!” Jennie responded by offering her paw, much to Sophie’s amusement.
Before meeting the royal couple, Mr Darling told reporters that Jennie had become something of a celebrity in Westminster.
“She thinks the Palace of Westminster is her palace, and she’s the Queen of it, and everybody comes there just to love her,” he said.
“So when we get off the train at Paddington, her tail is on such a high wag as we make our way towards the Central line. She knows where she’s going, and she’s really excited.”
Mr Darling added that Jennie often helped break the ice between MPs from different parties.
“She’s a good bridge builder for people from other parties, which is really important, as it allows me to have conversations I otherwise wouldn’t have had.”
A King with an encyclopedic knowledge of the UK
Paul Waugh, Labour MP for Rochdale, was impressed by the King’s deep knowledge of Britain’s constituencies.
“He was impeccably polite, as you’d imagine,” Mr Waugh said. “He knows a lot about every constituency, got the sort of incredible encyclopaedic knowledge of every area of the UK, as you might imagine.”
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During their conversation, Mr Waugh mentioned Rochdale’s historical connection to the Co-operative movement, telling the King that the town was the “home of the Co-op.” In response, he light-heartedly asked Charles if he ever shopped at the Co-op.
“The King burst out laughing,” Mr Waugh said, amused by the exchange.
For many of the newly elected MPs, the reception at Buckingham Palace was a significant and memorable moment. But, according to Mr Waugh, the King made sure to put them at ease.
“He was making it absolutely clear that we are the VIPs as well,” he said.
A royal reception with a personal touch
The event served as an opportunity for the monarch to connect with the country’s new political representatives, offering them a warm and personal welcome.
Whether discussing mild curries, greeting guide dogs, or sharing a joke about the Co-op, the King’s interactions showcased his ability to engage with people from all walks of life. It was a moment that underscored his role as a unifying figure, as he continues to navigate the changing landscape of British politics with charm and wit.
