In a delightful twist of culinary camaraderie, Queen Camilla was spotted at Clarence House today, getting hands-on with jacket potatoes alongside none other than the internet sensation, Spudman. This unlikely duo was brought together partly thanks to Camilla’s son, the food critic Tom Parker-Bowles, who had previously sung praises of Spudman’s culinary prowess.

Accompanying Her Majesty in this endeavor was Ben Newman, a 39-year-old entrepreneur from Tamworth, Staffordshire. Newman has made quite a name for himself on TikTok, where his unique approach to selling £5 jacket potatoes from his trailer has amassed a staggering 4 million followers.

Dressed in matching purple aprons, Camilla and Ben served up steaming hot potatoes with a variety of toppings such as beans, tuna, and the ever-popular Coronation chicken. Among the appreciative guests were television personalities Tom Read Wilson and Gaby Roslin, adding a touch of celebrity sparkle to the event.

The gathering was organized to highlight the valuable contributions of the Royal Voluntary Service, an organization with Camilla as its patron. It also spotlighted the launch of their latest volunteering platform, aiming to inspire more community involvement.

Following their royal engagement, Ben, a father of nine, ventured to Shoreditch High Street. His mission was to present his popular potato creations to potential volunteers for meals on wheels and lunch clubs, extending his reach beyond social media.

Ben, instantly recognizable by his vibrant pink mohawk, first crossed paths with Tom Parker-Bowles in February 2024. Tom, a distinguished cookbook author, was thoroughly impressed, declaring Ben’s jacket potatoes as the finest he had ever tasted.

And speaking to the Daily Mail today, Ben revealed that the Queen was ‘just as lovely’, and told him that a jacket potato is one of her favourite meals.

‘She made sure to have a tuna mayo spud for her lunch,’ he added. 

Buckingham Palace ‘s culinary team likely doesn’t specialise in something as humble as the jacket potato, but that didn’t stop Queen Camilla from pulling her sleeves up and dishing out the tasty meal alongside foodie sensation Spudman this afternoon

While his day has been a ‘whirlwind’ and Ben was initially nervous on arrival at Clarence House, he said Camilla ‘constantly put him at ease’. 

‘She was talking to everyone and I was last in line because I had to take her out to the food truck afterwards,’ the social media star explained. ‘But as soon as she came over she was so nice. I was so surprised by how much she knew about me!

‘She said she’d spoken to Tom about me, she knew I had a big family. I’m on dialysis and she knew that, she asked me how it was going.’

As soon as they got outside, he continued, the Queen got ‘stuck in’ and needed no guidance when it came to serving spuds.

‘She put her apron on, she knew exactly what she was doing,’ he shared.

Ben said he is ‘honoured’ by the opportunities he has been able to have since beginning to document his business on TikTok in 2021. Today, he boasts 4.2 million followers.

He initially began live streaming to support kidney research after being diagnosed with renal failure in 2010. He has raised more than £10,000.

The humble food salesman has, in the last year, hung out with US singer Teddy Swims and Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, while he was serving potatoes at a London screening to promote the pair’s new Deadpool and Wolverine film.

The royal joined TikTok sensation Ben Newman in a Royal Voluntary Service food truck as they served guests at Clarence House – with toppings including everything from baked beans to tuna and Coronation chicken

‘I’m blown away,’ he told the Daily Mail today. ‘My business is where I want it to be, I don’t want it to be huge. I’m lucky, I’ve bought a house, my family is comfortable.’

Ben revealed that he is happy to now focus more of his time on charity work, including today’s initiative with the RVS. 

Camilla hosted today’s reception to recognise supporters of the charity – of which Her Majesty is patron – as well as members of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), which is currently marking Meals on Wheels week. 

There, the Queen was presented with an Honorary Membership of the Association by the NACC National Chair.

The RVS has also recently unveiled a digital platform, GoVo, which makes it easier for people to find flexible volunteering opportunities.

Its ‘Role of a Lunchtime’ campaign is encouraging people to use the platform to volunteer when and where they can – even on a lunch break. 

‘I love how you can customise it as well,’ Ben added, ‘you can pick what areas you want to focus on and donate your time to.’

Documenting their meeting for the Daily Mail in February 2024, Camilla’s son Tom praised Ben as ‘warm, friendly, and possibly one of the nicest men he’s ever met, responding to the near-incessant requests for videos and selfies with the same patient charm’.

The wife of King Charles was elegantly autumnal in a black dress with matching suede boots, while the influencer was smart in a grey waistcoat and shirt, accentuating his bright pink mohawk

Tucking in: Tom Parker Bowles with Ben Newman at his food truck in Tamworth, Staffordshire, last year

After a brief royal stint, father-of-nine and Ben left for Shoreditch High Street, where he is serving would-be volunteers. While exciting, it’s not Spudman’s first time brushing shoulders with royals 

Camilla and Ben both sported aprons as they served guests at Clarence House with spuds for the event

Camilla, sporting an apron over her elegant black dress, rolled her sleeves up to serve jacket potatoes

The humble food salesman has, in the last year, hung out with US singer Teddy Swims and Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman , while he was serving potatoes at a London screening to promote the pair’s new Deadpool and Wolverine film

Camilla pictured speaking to Spudman as she hosted members of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) and representatives from Royal Voluntary Service (RVS)

Camilla hosted today’s reception to recognise supporters of the RVS – of which Her Majesty is patron – as well as members of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), who provide meals on wheels and lunch clubs across the UK

The Queen appeared to be in high spirits as she greeted the influencer, who had made a warm impression on her son last year

‘This really is a spud sensation, every mouthful a joy. For once, do believe the hype. Cook. Social Media Sensation. Philanthropist. All round good egg.’

And when it came to the spuds, he was no less complimentary.

‘The skin is crisp and brown, with just the right amount of chew, the earthy undertone of the potato shining through,’ Tom gushed in his review of the jacket.

‘Inside, a magnificent hot mess of melted butter and cheese. The chilli has a whisper of cumin, and the baked beans add bite.’

Today’s reception marked a busy start to the month for Camilla, who last week joined her husband to wish worshippers a ‘very happy belated Diwali’ on a visit to Neasden Temple.

Charles, 76, and Camilla, 78, celebrated its 30th anniversary as they enjoyed tour and watched spiritual ceremonies at the Hindu temple in north London – BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

They were both given flower garlands for the tour, before watching children perform Shanti Path, a Vedic prayer for world peace.

Both Charles and Camilla have visited the temple before, most recently as Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in 2009.  

Camilla – who may well have heard of Spudman from her son Tom – smiled as she chatted with the food vendor

Beaming Ben sported his signature pink mohawk as he chatted with Queen Camilla at Clarence House

The food truck influencer was among the guests invited to Clarence House for the event this afternoon

Among the guests invited to Clarence House this afternoon was swimmer Ellie Simmonds (pictured)

Ellie, pictured, looked to be in high spirits as she chatted with the Queen for the event this afternoon

TV presenter Tom Read Wilson, pictured, was also among those invited. Pictured chatting to the Queen

TV star Gaby Roslin, pictured, was also at the event – and spoke to Queen Camilla at the reception 

Camilla, opting for an elegant black dress, beamed and shook hands with guests at Clarence House

She opted to wear her platinum hair in its usual style and kept make-up minimal yet elegant for the reception

She mingled with guests and served them food alongside social media sensation Spudman on Wednesday

The reception at Clarence House offered a a celebration of community volunteering during Meals on Wheels Week

Camilla was sophisticated in her ensemble for the reception in a black dress and matching boots

The King offered a Namaste greeting, clasping his hands together and bowing his head in front of the head priest. 

The pair were barefoot as they were guided around the bright white, ornately carved building which is made with 2,828 tons of limestone and 2,000 tons of marble, which was carved by a team of 1,526 sculptors. 

They met architects and viewed a model of the temple which is currently under construction but due to be completed in September 2026.

The Neasden temple is Europe’s first traditional Hindu stone temple and was the largest to be built outside India at the time of its completion.

Stretching to 102,018 square feet, the temple was built using classical Vedic architectural principles, meaning it has no structural steel.

The King wore a suit and blue tie, the Queen a dark green jacket and skirt. Both removed their shoes after entering.

On arrival, they were greeted by Sadhu Yog Vivek Swami, who held his hands together and bowed in greeting, a gesture the King returned.

The temple leaders then presented both with flower garlands – of roses, carnations and foliage with a string of pearl beads – and nada-chadi – a sacred thread tied around their wrists.

As this was tied, the priest told Charles it was a ‘string of friendship on your right hand to show our bonds remain ever sweet’.

The King and Queen also greeted the Mayor of Brent wearing red robes and the Mayor of Harrow.