King Charles’ very unexpected ‘competitive’ hobby he shares with wife Queen Camilla

King Charles and Queen Camilla have a happy marriage, but there’s one hobby they get really competitive about, according to Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles. In his new cookbook, Cooking and the Crown, which features royal-inspired recipes, Tom shared that the couple loves collecting mushrooms and are very competitive about who finds the most. King Charles has enjoyed this hobby for years, and now it’s something they both take seriously! Tom revealed this while introducing his recipe for fresh pappardelle with porcini mushrooms.

King Charles has had a passion for mushroom hauling for years

Tom wrote that King Charles and Queen Camilla are “obsessed” with collecting wild mushrooms and are very competitive about how much they find. He also praised King Charles for his eco-friendly approach to food, calling him a “true food hero.” According to Tom, the King knows a lot about rare types of cattle, old varieties of plums and apples, the benefits of mutton, wild mushrooms, and even the strong appeal of smelly cheese!

Tom has a close relationship with his stepfather Charles

Every monarch has their own favorite foods and habits, and King Charles is known for his passion for sustainable, eco-friendly farming. He’s been focused on this long before it became popular, and his advice is very valuable because of how much he knows.

Tom, a food critic who grew up with Queen Camilla and her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, recently shared that Camilla was strict about food when he was a child, making sure he followed a healthy diet.

Tom also opened up about his “strict” family diet

In an interview, Tom shared that he grew up eating food that was local, seasonal, and organic, long before those terms became popular. His mother, Queen Camilla, would shop at small, local stores like the butcher, fishmonger, bakery, and greengrocer. Although Tom liked some processed foods, they were rare in his home. He also said his mother, who he praised as a “good cook,” kept a close eye on what they were allowed to eat.

Tom joked that when a Sainsbury’s supermarket opened in Chippenham in the early ’80s, it felt like everything changed from black-and-white to full color, just like in The Wizard of Oz. Suddenly, there were exciting foods like Ice Magic, Birds Eye Chicken Pies, Butterscotch Angel Delight, and big packs of Monster Munch. He and his siblings wanted to try it all, but his mother, Queen Camilla, was still pretty strict about what they could eat.

I Organize Wedding for Rich Woman, on the Day of Event My Husband Gets Out of Groom’s Limousine — Story of the Day

One day, I attended the wedding of a very affluent woman, where I served as the event manager. I had been intricately involved in the planning of this wedding from the start. However, when I saw the groom for the first time, my heart nearly stopped. It was my John!

I’m Amanda, 28 years old, working as a private organizer of celebrations and events. Today was the grandest wedding I’d ever been assigned to handle, all for Catherine, a 38-year-old heiress of a clothing empire, who had spared no expense for her big day.

I had taken a two-hour flight to organize Catherine’s wedding, eager to bring her vision of a dreamy wedding to life. She wanted everything to be perfect, and so did I, but neither of us could have anticipated how the evening would soon take an unexpected turn.

A wedding invitation card | Source: Unsplash

A wedding invitation card | Source: Unsplash

Catherine was marrying Arnold, a young, affluent businessman, whom I had never met despite our numerous planning sessions.

“My fiancé trusts my vision, and given his busy schedule, he prefers handling business matters,” she’d say.

It struck me as odd that he never once showed up, not even to discuss the menu or the music. When I once asked, “Are you sure he wouldn’t want to weigh in on the band or the wine selection?” Catherine simply laughed, reassuring me he was fully on board with her choices.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

While Catherine was confident about her beloved fiancé, my curiosity about this mysterious groom grew as the wedding neared.

Little did I know the biggest surprise was yet to come, and it would leave me frozen in the face of crisis.

Today, the wedding venue buzzed from dawn. I directed everyone meticulously, ensuring the ivory tablecloths and golden centerpieces were perfectly placed and the crystal glassware and fine china were carefully arranged.

“Carefully stack the plates by size on that table over there, and make sure the glasses are accounted for by the caterer’s checklist,” I instructed the loaders.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

As the banquet hall filled, the air hummed with elegant music and whispered conversations. Then, a hush fell over the room as the presenter’s voice rang out, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the groom, Arnold!”

I was eager to finally see this mysterious man who had been too busy to show up at any of the prior meetings.

A sleek black limousine pulled up. The door opened, and instead of Arnold, out stepped John, dressed impeccably in a tuxedo. My John, or so he had been until he disappeared six months ago, leaving me with heartache and a mountain of debt.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

I felt a chill run down my spine, and my feet cemented to the floor as I stared in disbelief. He looked around, and when his eyes met mine, there was no flicker of recognition, just the cool detachment of a stranger.

Shock rooted me to the spot as the room spun around me. Here was the man I once loved, now Catherine’s groom, living a new life under a new name. How could this be happening?

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

His presence suddenly made me relive the painful memories of the day I found he had left. That was when I experienced the horror of seeing his belongings gone and our bank accounts drained. The man I trusted with my heart had stolen my savings.

As he confidently walked toward the banquet hall, a guest congratulated him with a pat on the back. Arnold, or John as I knew him, smiled with the charm of the perfect groom, yet beneath that facade was the con man who had devastated my life. As he vanished into the crowd, I decided I had to expose him before Catherine fell victim like I had.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

And looking at him, I remembered the day my life changed…

6 months ago…

One night, John and I were discussing our upcoming wedding plans in our cozy bedroom, the room bathed in the gentle glow of the bedside lamp.

“And how’s everything coming along with the wedding plans?” I inquired, aware of his lead on organizing our celebration.

He looked concerned. “Well, all the major payments are done. The venue, the caterers, the band, and the decorators,” he explained. “But I’ve used up all the funds.”

Confused, I pressed on, “All the funds? Even the money we set aside?”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

“Yes,” John sighed. “That and a bit more from my own accounts. There’s been a hitch with my project. The payment I was supposed to get this month has been delayed.”

“Of course, I understand. Things happen,” I reassured him.

“Could you sign a power of attorney in my name? Just so I can handle the payments more smoothly,” he asked.

Trusting him completely, I agreed. “I got the confirmation from the bank today. You can use my accounts now. They said the power of attorney paperwork was all in order.”

“Thank you, Amanda. I promise this wedding is going to be everything we’ve dreamed of and more.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

That night, as we drifted to sleep, I felt secure in our love. To me, John was already my husband, and to him, I was already his wife. We had exchanged rings privately, but to the world, we were still an unmarried couple.

I trusted him with everything, yet I was unaware it would be our last night together.

The next morning, the bed beside me was cold and empty, the first sign of the nightmare that awaited. John’s usual morning presence was missing, and the room bore the eerie silence of his absence. My heart sank as I realized the depth of his deception.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

“John?” I called out, hoping to hear him in the bathroom or kitchen, but there was only silence. My unease deepened as I walked through the cold apartment to the kitchen and then to other rooms—nothing.

That’s when I noticed muddy shoe prints leading to our closet. Heart pounding, I followed the trail and found the closet empty except for a few of my dresses.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Chilled, I grabbed my phone and saw notifications from the bank—one for $38,000 and another for $23,000, both withdrawn from my accounts just an hour ago. Panic set in as I dialed John’s number repeatedly, but it only reached voicemail.

“He wouldn’t,” I whispered in denial, tears clouding my vision as the truth sank in: John had disappeared, and with him, all our savings.

Driven by a mix of betrayal and desperation, I dressed and walked to the police station, feeling every step weigh heavy with his deceit. I managed to choke out to the officer at the desk, “Excuse me, I need to report a theft.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

In the office, Officer Harris asked, “Can you tell me more about how this happened?”

“My husband… I mean fiancé, John Freeman, has disappeared along with all our savings,” I explained, detailing how I had given him access to my bank accounts via a power of attorney to manage our wedding payments.

“He… he showed me receipts of caterers, decorators, and the venue and talked about the arrangements. I trusted him,” I admitted.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Officer Harris took notes, then explained that since John had power of attorney, his actions weren’t illegal per se.

“It’s complicated. We will try to investigate, try to find him, but recovering the money might be difficult if he’s not found,” he said, hinting at the bleak chances of recourse given John’s likely fictitious identity.

“I understand. Thank you for your help, Officer Harris,” I managed to say, standing up slowly.

He gave me his card and I left the police station in tears, a crushing realization settling in. John’s thorough deceit left me alone to face the fallout.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Present time…

There he was, John, now called Arnold, mingling confidently at his wedding, appearing every bit the affluent businessman he was impersonating. I knew the truth about him, but seeing him laughing and engaging with guests filled me with a mix of anger and fear.

Without hesitation, I marched towards him, my heart pounding. As he turned and saw me, his smile dropped momentarily. Before he could speak, I slapped him, the sound resonating across the hall, silencing nearby conversations.

“You are a scoundrel and a swindler!” I yelled, ensuring everyone could hear.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You must be mistaken,” he said.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Turning to the bride, Catherine, I exposed him, “This man is not who he claims to be! I know him as John; he is my ex who cheated on me right before our wedding. He left me drowning in debt and ran away with all my money!”

Arnold, now desperate, declared, “She’s mentally ill! Don’t listen to her. My name is Arnold, not John.”

Ignoring his lies, I retorted, “Oh, really? And I suppose you have a multitude of passports and names to use as well? How convenient for your scams!”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

I pulled out my phone to call the police but was interrupted by a man stepping forward, his badge visible.

“Ma’am, my name is Peter Greenwood, and I’m the chief of the local police department. I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” he said sternly. “This is my sister’s wedding, and I know Arnold well. He’s a good man. You’re clearly confused.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Defeated and furious, I left, my mind racing with plans for exposing John’s true identity. I couldn’t let him deceive Catherine as he had deceived me.

At a nearby cafe, I mulled over my options while sipping strong black coffee. Remembering Catherine’s story about her grandmother’s sister, Linda, who she wished could see her happiness, sparked an idea. It had been decades since Catherine last saw her.

“What if Linda comes to the wedding today?” I murmured to myself, envisioning a plan. There would be no real Linda—I would take her place.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Then, I called Carla, a talented makeup artist, and asked her to make me look like a 90-year-old woman. She agreed, and came to my place in no time.

Soon, I was sitting in my living room, transformed into an elderly woman, ready to reintroduce myself as Linda at the wedding. I was determined to expose Arnold and prevent another disaster.

Approaching the banquet hall entrance as “Linda,” I told the guards, “My name is Linda, I believe I’m expected.”

They hesitated, not finding my name on the list. “Oh, dear, there must be some mistake. Please, could you call Miss Catherine?” I requested with a frail voice.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Soon, Catherine approached, puzzled. “Who are you?” she asked.

“Don’t you recognize your grandmother Linda?” I replied, maintaining the elderly act.

Tears welled up in Catherine’s eyes as she embraced me. “Grandma? Wow, you look…it’s been ages! How did you— How did you know about today?”

“Grandma Linda always knows, my dear Catherine!” I chuckled.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Inside, I sought out the event coordinator and requested the microphone. Addressing the gathering, I began, “Good evening, everyone. I am so delighted to be here today to celebrate the union of these two wonderful souls.”

I glanced at Arnold, then announced, “And I have brought with me a very precious gift. A legacy that has been passed down in our family from generation to generation.”

Pulling out a fake sparkling diamond, I declared, “This is a precious diamond, worth about $800,000. It has been in the bank storage all my life, and I will return it there today. I give Catherine the right to use this storage and keep this diamond safe.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

While Catherine thanked me with tears, I watched Arnold closely. Two hours later, he made his move. He stood up, excused himself to use the toilet, and moments later, the lights went out. I knew it was Arnold. I knew he had his eyes on the diamond in my purse.

I quickly hid behind the back entrance with a glass decanter in my hand, leaving my purse on the table. As Arnold rushed through with the diamond, I struck him on the back of the head. He collapsed, dropping the diamond.

“You were right,” Catherine’s brother, the police chief, said upon witnessing the scene. He soon called his team at the wedding venue to arrest Arnold.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Catherine approached with shock and gratitude on her face. “Amanda, it was you all along?” she whispered.

I confirmed, explaining my actions to protect her. She was too shaken by the events on what was supposed to be the biggest day of her life. But a week later, imagine my surprise when she showed up to meet me, thanked me, and offered me a job as her personal assistant.

“I’d be honored, Catherine,” I accepted, embracing a hopeful future.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

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