King Charles III announced that no more foie gras will be served in the royal residences. The king is thus following a demand from the organization “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” (Peta).
An end to foie gras at Buckingham Palace: King Charles III has banned the French specialty from the tables of the royal residences, according to a letter from the palace to the organization Peta. Charles, who has long been committed to nature conservation, organic farming, and combating climate change, is known as a long-time opponent of foie gras.
“Thank you for your letter regarding the ethical issues surrounding foie gras,” the English king wrote in a reply letter to the organization Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). “I can confirm that neither the royal household purchases foie gras nor is it served in the royal residences, and that there are no plans to change this policy.”
Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8, was said to have greatly enjoyed foie gras. During a state dinner in Paris in June 2014 with then-President François Hollande, her duck liver pâté was served.
As a token of gratitude, Peta sent the king a box of “fake foie gras,” which was produced in the London restaurant of vegan chef Alexis Gauthier. Peta “encourages everyone to follow the example of the king and to avoid eating foie gras at Christmas and thereafter”, the organization wrote in a press release. Duck or goose liver, considered a delicacy and often eaten at Christmas, may currently be imported and sold in the United Kingdom, but may not be produced in the country itself.