In the wake of Prince Harry's controversial memoir "Spare," which sent shockwaves through the British Royal Family, Queen Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles, is set to release his own book, "Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III." The upcoming publication, slated for a September release in the UK, is being viewed by some as a pointed response to the Duke of Sussex's bombshell-laden tell-all.
Royal expert Phil Dampier suggests that Parker Bowles' book serves as a clear message to Prince Harry, demonstrating that it is possible to discuss the monarchy in a positive light without resorting to the airing of dirty laundry, as reported by the Mirror. "Tom is very much supporting and celebrating the monarchy, and would never do anything to damage it," Dampier told Fabulous. "He is sending a message that you can talk about the monarchy in positive terms and not denigrate it as Harry did in Spare."
The stark contrast between the two books is evident, with Parker Bowles' work focusing on the culinary traditions and secrets of the royal kitchens, while Prince Harry's memoir delved into deeply personal and often unflattering revelations about his family members, including Queen Camilla. In "Spare," the Duke of Sussex referred to his stepmother as the "Other Woman" and claimed she had played a "long game" with a campaign aimed at marriage and, eventually, the crown.
Despite his unique position as the son of Queen Camilla and his likely access to countless inside stories and secrets, Tom Parker Bowles has maintained a level of discretion that sets him apart from his stepbrother. "As a journalist, he [Tom] 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," Dampier noted. "But he has remained discreet and would obviously never do anything to upset his mother, who trusts him totally."
This is not the first time Parker Bowles has come to his mother's defense in the face of public scrutiny. In April 2023, during an appearance on The News Agents podcast, he addressed the allegations that Queen Camilla had played an "end game" in her relationship with King Charles. "I think change happens but I don't care what anyone says - this wasn't any sort of end game. She married the person she loved and this is what happened," he asserted.
The release of "Cooking and the Crown" comes at a time when the Royal Family is still grappling with the fallout from Prince Harry's memoir. The book, which hit shelves in January 2023, contained a series of explosive claims, including allegations that Queen Camilla was "dangerous" and a "villain," and that King Charles had failed to hug his son after the death of Princess Diana.
As the monarchy navigates this challenging period, Tom Parker Bowles' upcoming book serves as a reminder that there are still those within the royal fold who are committed to celebrating the institution and its rich history. While "Spare" may have painted a less-than-flattering portrait of certain family members, "Cooking and the Crown" aims to showcase the more positive aspects of royal life, one recipe at a time.
