Tom Parker Bowles, son of Queen Camilla and acclaimed British food writer, has pushed back against long-running tabloid whispers about his mother’s supposed habits — from cigarettes to gin — and says the truth is far less dramatic.
Speaking candidly on a new episode of the podcast White Wine Question Time with Kate Thornton, the 50-year-old addressed popular stereotypes about his mother’s lifestyle, firmly putting old rumors to rest.
“She’s never even been tipsy — not once in my life,” he said. “She doesn’t drink gin. And she quit smoking decades ago.”
His comments come as a light-hearted but pointed response to persistent internet lore that Queen Camilla enjoys knocking back gin and tonics with a cigarette in hand. According to Tom, nothing could be further from the truth.
“She likes red wine,” he admitted, “but just a glass and a half. That’s about it. She’s a very moderate and sensible drinker.”
More fish than fags: Camilla’s quiet, grounded routine
In the same interview, Tom also gave listeners a glimpse into his mother’s relationship with food — something he knows a lot about, having built a career as a food writer and cookbook author.
“She doesn’t really eat much meat,” he said. “If I were to cook for her, it’d probably be a simple piece of fish.” He added that scrambled eggs are one of her go-to dishes, and that she prefers “quite plain” food overall — nothing too spicy or garlicky.
In fact, Tom admitted that nearly 90% of the recipes in his new cookbook would be far too bold for her palate.
Despite his mother’s elevated title as Queen Consort, Tom emphasized that their relationship remains unchanged. “She’s just the same,” he said warmly. “We’re still gossiping and chatting over meals, like we always have.”
While he was quick to assert his independence — noting that he’s “never had a trust fund” and had to “work like everyone else” to establish his writing career — Tom clearly holds deep respect for his mother and the grounded lifestyle she maintains behind palace walls.
And if there was any lingering doubt: “She doesn’t smoke. She doesn’t drink gin. Never has.”
So much for the gin-and-cigarette mythology — sometimes the truth is refreshingly ordinary.