Queen Elizabeth II's Secret Dishwashing Habit Revealed

The late Queen Elizabeth II had a distinct and surprising custom when hosting guests at Balmoral Castle, a tradition not carried on by her son, King Charles, and daughter-in-law, Queen Camilla.

According to royal author Valentine Low, the Queen would put on yellow rubber gloves to wash dishes after meals. While a lady-in-waiting assured a guest that the dishes would later be cleaned in a dishwasher, the Queen's personal involvement was notable.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady also confirmed this habit. The Queen's practice was so unusual that Margaret Thatcher once sent her a pair of gloves, perhaps confused by the Queen washing dishes with her bare hands.

Additionally, Queen Elizabeth II was known to bend a traditional royal dining rule. While monarchs usually set the pace for meals, she would intentionally slow down her eating when in company to allow her guests to finish comfortably.