In the world of fast food and casual dining, the humble burger has long been a symbol of comfort and convenience. It's the quintessential hand-held meal, perfect for a quick bite or a laid-back gathering with friends. However, according to a former royal butler, we've all been eating burgers wrong, and there's a more refined way to enjoy this classic dish.

Grant Harrold, who served as a butler to King Charles III when he was still the Prince of Wales, has stirred up quite the conversation with his claim that burgers should always be eaten with a knife and fork. This surprising piece of advice comes from a man who has spent years within the royal household, observing and participating in the epitome of formal dining.

Harrold, who has worked with various senior royals, told The Telegraph UK that members of the royal family always use cutlery when eating a burger and believes everyone should follow suit. 'While it's true that most people use their hands to eat a burger, doing it the right way by using a knife and fork brings a genuine sense of refinement to the culinary experience,' he explained.

Grant Harrold demonstrated how to enjoy a burger and chips with a knife and fork. Image Credit: Instagram/The Royal Butler

The idea of treating a burger with the same etiquette as any other plated dish, according to Harrold, elevates it from a casual, potentially messy meal to something that can be savored with elegance. This approach to burger consumption is not just for the royals, as Harrold shared that many of the 'high-end clientele' he has worked with throughout his career also observe this practice.

On his Instagram, where he goes by The Royal Butler, Harrold demonstrates what he believes is the correct way to eat a burger. With a touch of humor, he tells his followers, 'Ladies and gentlemen, when eating a burger we use a knife and fork. We never use our hands unless of course you're Fred Flintstone.' His social media is a treasure trove of dining etiquette tips, where he shares his expertise with those looking to add a touch of class to their meals.

Harrold's views on dining etiquette extend beyond burgers. He also believes it is a big no-no to dunk biscuits into tea, a habit that many would argue is a quintessential part of enjoying this hot beverage. When it comes to sandwiches, he concedes that it's okay to eat them with your hands but emphasizes the importance of cutting them into smaller pieces to maintain tidiness.

Watch Harrold's video here:

Source: @the_royal_butler/Instagram​

It's worth noting that Harrold served the then Prince of Wales from 2004 to 2011, and his insights into royal dining habits offer a fascinating glimpse into a world where tradition and formality reign supreme. His advice may not resonate with everyone, especially those who relish the tactile joy of biting into a juicy burger, but it does pose an interesting question about the ways in which we can elevate everyday experiences.

So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, next time you find yourself about to indulge in a burger, you might consider reaching for the cutlery drawer instead of the ketchup bottle. Whether you're dining in a fancy restaurant or enjoying a quiet meal at home, why not try this royal approach to burger eating? It could add an unexpected touch of sophistication to your meal.

And for those who are curious about other dining etiquette tips or simply want to stay informed about the latest in celebrity and lifestyle news, remember to follow us on our WhatsApp channel. It's a space free from algorithms and prying eyes, where you can enjoy updates in privacy.

Key Takeaways

• King Charles III's former butler, Grant Harrold, suggests that burgers should be eaten with a knife and fork.
• Harrold, who calls himself The Royal Butler, believes using cutlery when eating a burger adds refinement and elegance to the dining experience.
• The burger-eating etiquette followed by the monarch and high-end clientele according to Harrold is to always use a knife and fork rather than hands.
• Harrold shares dining etiquette tips on his Instagram and has specific views on other dining habits, such as not dunking biscuits in tea and cutting sandwiches into smaller pieces for tidy consumption.

Now, we'd love to hear from you. What do you think of eating a burger with a knife and fork? Is it a dining do or don't in your book? Share your thoughts and your own dining etiquette tips in the comments below!

 

[Dynamo]

Dining do for me as I have shaky hands. I drop less off a fork or spoon than in hand held eating.

 

[novezar]

Ahhh, the art of True Dining. The only way defined royalty know how to do.
Could well teach us all a lesson.
Beats getting the old tomato sauce & the drippings of the beetroot all over & down your fingers, incl., your hands.
I think that I might give it a bash.
How about joining me on that one, Veggie ? Maybe Luckyus & a few others might join in as well.

 

[Vio Kot]

Ahhh, the art of True Dining. The only way defined royalty know how to do.
Could well teach us all a lesson.
Beats getting the old tomato sauce & the drippings of the beetroot all over & down your fingers, incl., your hands.
I think that I might give it a bash.
How about joining me on that one, Veggie ? Maybe Luckyus & a few others might join in as well.

The whole enjoyment of a burger is all the dripping juices

 

[Vio Kot]

I'm sure he eats his pizza with a knife and fork too. Also no tim tam slams for him

 

[GrannyJA!]

He would probably be laughed out of Australia.

 

[Marilynne]

Ahhh, the art of True Dining. The only way defined royalty know how to do.
Could well teach us all a lesson.
Beats getting the old tomato sauce & the drippings of the beetroot all over & down your fingers, incl., your hands.
I think that I might give it a bash.
How about joining me on that one, Veggie ? Maybe Luckyus & a few others might join in as well.

Been there done that or I cut it into smaller pieces {1/4's}

 

[Bridgit]

Oh please!

 

[Barbara V]

Eat as you damm well please,maybe a little better in public

 

[Veggiepatch]

I hope the pretentious twit licks his knife and plate. Is it any different to licking a spoon or fork? All cutlery is made of the same material and in all probability, washed in the same manner.

I do.

And I don't give rat's arse. Etiquette is for wannabe wankers.

 

[Kman]

The big guy upstairs give us fingers before we even thought about thinking of making cutlery. Fush und chups, burgers, chooken wingies and much more, eat em with your fingers.
Reminds of two Dutch ladies at a club in an outer Sydney, were talking about me eating a pie with sauce, chips n gravy and using my fingers. They were speaking in Dutch, saying who rude, disgusting, and uneducated, etc I was.

I turned and around and asked them how do you eat your salted herring and onions, your croquettes, etc. Gave em both barrels about their opinions. My father laughed his head off.

I speak Dutch.

 

[Veggiepatch]

The big guy upstairs give us fingers before we even thought about thinking of making cutlery. Fush und chups, burgers, chooken wingies and much more, eat em with your fingers.
Reminds of two Dutch ladies at a club in an outer Sydney, were talking about me eating a pie with sauce, chips n gravy and using my fingers. They were speaking in Dutch, saying who rude, disgusting, and uneducated, etc I was.

I turned and around and asked them how do you eat your salted herring and onions, your croquettes, etc. Gave em both barrels about their opinions. My father laughed his head off.

I speak Dutch.

Good shot my man!

Love it!

 

[Littleboy8]

Good shot my man!

Love it!

Me too

 

[BellaB18]

My mother use to say only old men without teeth dunked their biscuits in their tea my Pa use to drink his tea out of his saucer. kind regards to all Vicki

 

[Littleboy8]

My mother use to say only old men without teeth dunked their biscuits in their tea my Pa use to drink his tea out of his saucer. kind regards to all Vicki

funny

 

[Marilynne]

My mother use to say only old men without teeth dunked their biscuits in their tea my Pa use to drink his tea out of his saucer. kind regards to all Vicki

So did a great uncle of mine and it always made me giggle, I have a feeling he made all the slurping noises for my benefit.

 

[magpie1]

I guess it depends on what type of social circles you may move in and also what country you live and its customary way of eating.....here in Australia it's always been fingers and sauce and beetroot dripping on your shirt if your not careful.....have never seen anyone at McDonalds eating with a knife and fork here and don't think I ever will......getting hungry now, might cook a 'burger and smash it to death.!!

 

[Liag]

If you eat the burger upside down, it's a lot less messy. Haven't had any sauce or juice down my front since I started doing that.

 

[Littleboy8]

I guess it depends on what type of social circles you may move in and also what country you live and its customary way of eating.....here in Australia it's always been fingers and sauce and beetroot dripping on your shirt if your not careful.....have never seen anyone at McDonalds eating with a knife and fork here and don't think I ever will......getting hungry now, might cook a 'burger and smash it to death.!!

I just had one with the new woollies hamburgers and whole meal bun with horse radish, lettuce, and cheese it was delicious Can’t beat homemade burgers.

 

[novezar]

My mother use to say only old men without teeth dunked their biscuits in their tea my Pa use to drink his tea out of his saucer. kind regards to all Vicki

Hi BellaB18,
That's exactly what dear mum used to say to us youngens. As she said, "If it's too hot, pour some in the saucer, then sip it". It worked fine.

Bye the way, Vicki, you have a very sweet name. When I was 12, I was extremely sweet on Vicki. She was very pretty. Only prob was, she was 13 & already in High school, I was still in primary. Made a lot of difference back then in the mid '50s.