Tom Parker-Bowles, son of Queen Camilla, leaves his family speechless: 'I'd be dead'

Not all members of the royal circle live under the spotlight or follow the same protocol. Some prefer to have their own path and forge their story with different tools. That is the case of Tom Parker-Bowles, who doesn't live in the midst of the royal world his mother is immersed in.

Far from the media noise and the appearances of the crown, he has built a life based on effort and passion. His journey has been a very down-to-earth path, far from palaces and queens. Now, he has decided to share unknown parts of that journey.

Tom Parker-Bowles is very far from the media spotlight

On the podcast White Wine Question Time, Tom surprised listeners by talking about his life without a trust fund. "I'd probably be dead if I'd had one," he stated calmly. The phrase, powerful and clear, said it all.

Not having financial backing led him to work from a young age, like anyone else. "I had to work like everyone," he explained. That need pushed him to discover his vocation and keep himself focused.

Before finding his passion for food writing, he went through different jobs. He recalled his days at a film public relations agency, where he was fired for his tardiness. "What the hell am I going to do?" he asked himself after losing that job.

Tom Parker-Bowles also spoke about Elizabeth II

During the conversation, he shared curious moments with Queen Elizabeth II. The first time he saw her, as a child, he made a mistake and bowed instead of curtsying. Nerves got the better of him.

On another occasion, during his mother's wedding to then-Prince Charles, he got lost in Windsor. When they found them, the queen guided them like "two amazed puppies," Tom Parker-Bowles recalled with laughter.

His book Cooking & the Crown is the result of all those experiences. It mixes anecdotes, history, and royal cuisine, including favorite recipes of Camilla and Charles III. It is a tribute to his heritage and to British tradition.

Queen Camilla, a special mother

Tom Parker-Bowles says his mother cooks in an intuitive and simple way. "I've never followed a recipe in my life," she has said. For her, it is not about measurements, but about practice and family flavor.

Camilla still uses a basic cell phone for security and avoids phones at the table. Tom says that sometimes he only knows about her when he sees her on television. "Ah! She's in Jersey," he joked affectionately.

A life without excess, full of work, family, and lessons. A message that leaves a mark: sometimes, not having everything can be what really saves you.