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Camilla’s son is ‘sending Harry a message’ with his new royal book – he’d ‘never air his dirty laundry’, expert claims
An expert revealed what we can expect from the book
QUEEN Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles is bringing out a new book and it sends a message to Prince Harry after his damning Spare memoir, according to an expert.
Food critic Tom’s book will feature over 100 recipes, from state banquets to breakfasts and behind-the-scenes facts about life in the royal kitchens.
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The book, Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III, is scheduled for publication in the UK on September 26, 2024.
Speaking about the book, royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous: “Tom is very much supporting and celebrating the monarchy, and would never do anything to damage it.
"He is sending a message that you can talk about the monarchy in positive terms and not denigrate it as Harry did in Spare.
"Harry washed his dirty linen in public and that is something Tom would never do.
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“He is the complete opposite to Prince Harry whose book was one long ‘poor me’ moan.”
Tom and sister Laura Lopes are Queen Camilla’s children from her previous marriage with retired British Army officer, Andrew Parker Bowles, who she divorced in 1995.
Unlike Prince Harry’s Spare, which revealed numerous personal details about the royals, including how William allegedly attacked him and how he labelled Meghan “difficult” and “rude”, Phil expects Tom to be “discrete” in his book.
He explained: “Tom Parker Bowles has always been the soul of discretion where the royals are concerned, which can’t have been easy for him.
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“As a journalist he is inevitably a natural gossip and he must have been privy to so many secrets over the years, like when his mother was going to marry Charles, and so many bits of inside information that others would kill for.
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“But he has remained discreet and would obviously never do anything to upset his mother, who trusts him totally.
“He’s a good writer and it should be an interesting book but I wouldn’t expect any tittle tattle about personalities, he will just concentrate on the food and drink.
“It can’t have been easy for him over the last thirty years or so, firstly seeing his mother vilified by the press and public, and then watching her thrust into centre stage.
“But he and his sister have taken it with good grace and humour and seem to be without any airs and graces, which takes after both their parents.”
Phil theorised that some may consider Tom to be “cashing in” on his royal connections by “writing a book about royal recipes”, but added: “You can hardly blame him.”
The explosive revelations in Harry's book Spare include:
- Prince Harry claimed his brother William 'attacked' him in a row over Meghan Markle
- Harry called his therapist instead of Meg after the confrontation with his brother
- Charles pleaded with Harry and William not to 'make his final years a misery'
- The Duke of Sussex revealed the nicknames he uses with William
- Harry claimed William and Kate Middleton encouraged him to wear the infamous Nazi uniform
- The duke said he does want to go to King Charles' coronation, a trailer for his ITV interview has revealed
- The bombshell book accidentally went on sale early in Spain – and we got our hands on one of the first copies
- Meanwhile, seven times Harry was welcomed by the Royals have been revealed
The royal expert added: “He’s not the first person to write such a book and there’s nothing to stop any other author applying to visit royal archives, you just have to go through a process.
“But obviously he can ask the Queen for a few titbits about royal banquets and events which others might not have access to.
“There are always going to be critics saying he is exploiting his position, but he didn’t get any choice as to who he is related to and whatever he does someone will carp from the sidelines.”
Speaking about his upcoming book, Tom said: "As a food history geek, I cannot tell you how exciting it has been to write this book.
"To read original recipes in the royal archive in Windsor, and disappear into the lives and reigns (and eating habits) of sovereigns from Queen Victoria onwards.
Harry washed his dirty linen in public and that is something Tom would never do.
Phil Dampier
“But this is not about roast cygnet, ortolans and snipe stuffed with foie gras – rather a proper cookbook, filled with recipes that I’ve loved cooking.
“And hope that you will too."
Thomas Henry Charles Parker Bowles was born December 18, 1974, in London, is the eldest child of Camilla and Andrew.
Tom studied at Eton College and Worcester College, Oxford and states that immediately after leaving school, he fell in love with food writing, and it was his mother's cooking skills and recipes that inspired him to become a food writer.
He is also known for his appearances as a judge in numerous television food series and for his reviews of restaurant meals around the UK and overseas for GQ, Esquire, and The Mail on Sunday.
Tom shares two children from a previous marriage with associate editor of Harpers & Queen magazine and senior editor of British Town & Country magazine, Sara Buys.
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In 2021, his partner, former journalist Alice Procope tragically died from cancer aged just 42 on March 17, 2021.
Uniquely, King Charles is both his stepfather and godfather.
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