King Charles makes corny joke and dons white lab coat for visit to Queen's favourite breakfast maker

King Charles III and the Queen Consort have traveled to Greater Manchester on the royal train for an exciting day of engagements

King Charles makes corny joke and dons white lab coat at Queen's favourite breakfast maker
(Image credit: Getty)

King Charles III was in good spirits today in Manchester, wearing a white lab coat and joking with staff at the Kellogg's factory as he toured the plant of Queen Elizabeth's favourite breakfast cereal. 

King Charles III was all smiles in Manchester on Friday as he visited the Kellogg's factory in Bolton, which just so happens to be the maker of the late Queen Elizabeth's favourite breakfast cereal. 

His Majesty took the royal train to Manchester Victoria Station from Balmoral this morning, marking his first visit to the region since ascending the throne in September 2022. He has been joined by Camilla, Queen Consort, for the historic trip.

 

The King, 74, made a detour stop at the Kellogg's factory this morning in Stretford, where he was greeted by the breakfast company's staff, before heading to Bolton Town Hall to unveil a plaque in honor of its 150th anniversary. 

According to Buckingham Palace, Kellogg's products have been a well-loved staple in the Royal Family's headquarters for decades. 

"The Manchester site of Kellogg’s is the largest cereal factory in Europe and biggest Corn Flake factory in the world," the palace said in a statement. "Kellogg’s has been a holder of the Royal Warrant since the reign of King George VI and cereal from the business was historically delivered to Buckingham Palace in a small van called Genevieve."

The King was given a warm welcome at the Kellogg's factory from its director, Tim McKnight, before receiving a tour of its impressive layout. His Majesty was reportedly keen to know all about the company's environmental mission, chatting with staff about sustainability and food innovation. 

King

(Image credit: Getty)

The King also spoke to factory workers about how they achieve the 'sweet spot' in its sweeter cereals without using too much sugar. 

“Do you just reduce the sugar until they say yes?” he joked during the brief conversation, according to Manchester Evening News. At another point of the tour, the King put on a white safety coat to view the cereals' production in action on the factory floor. 

The late Queen Elizabeth was known to be a lover of Kellogg's, with her private cook once revealing that she would usually enjoy a bowl of Special K for breakfast. 

According to Darren McGrady, who served as the personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Princes William and Harry for fifteen years, Her Majesty would eat the barley cereal with fruit. 

Queen Elizabeth II watches from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour parade

(Image credit: Photo by Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

He also said that the "Queen loved scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and a grating of truffle" but was "too frugal to ever order fresh truffles." Instead, she would wait until Christmastime to enjoy the indulgent spores, when she would often be gifted them as presents. 

The Queen's favourite sandwich and afternoon tea bites were revealed by McGrady last year, and like her humble breakfast, the late monarch's go-to chocies may well surprise you.

Emma Dooney
News and lifestyle writer

Emma is a Lifestyle News Writer for Goodto. Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, she mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.