Tom Parker Bowles recently shared a heartwarming detail about how his children refer to King Charles, revealing that they call him “Uppa.”
During an appearance on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh on Sunday, Queen Camilla’s son offered a rare insight into family life behind the palace walls.
The 49-year-old food writer explained that, contrary to what many might think, he has a normal relationship with his mother and stepfather. His children, Lola, 17, and Freddy, 14, have grown up with the King as a part of their lives, and they adore him.
“To the children, he’s just Uppa,” Tom said, noting that they don’t view King Charles as anything extraordinary due to their familiarity with him. “They love him and think he’s wonderful.”
Tom also mentioned that while the children are reminded of their step-grandfather’s royal status by those around them, they often respond with surprise, as they simply see him as ‘Uppa.’ He added humorously, “You have to keep saying, ‘It’s the King. Get out your tracksuit bottoms!'”
Speaking about his mother, Tom shared that she is a great grandmother, and he enjoys visiting her home in Wiltshire where they can unwind.
He also discussed his new book, Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III, and revealed that his mother prefers simple cooking without following recipes or measurements. Her roast chicken remains Tom’s favorite dish.
Reflecting on his own childhood in Wiltshire, Tom recalled growing up with his mother, his father Andrew Parker Bowles, and sister Laura Lopes in the 1970s and 1980s.
Despite his access to gourmet ingredients now, he fondly remembered how his sister and he were thrilled when they first discovered processed foods like Angel Delight and Coca-Cola, which felt like a world apart from the locally-grown foods they were used to. “Sainsbury’s arriving in Chippenham was like something from outer space,” he said.
