The King has been caught on camera telling anyone who wants to listen about the merits of a Duke of York.
However, this wasn’t an endorsement for the younger brother that he recently stripped of that title.
Instead, The King was talking about the benefits of a potato named the Duke of York.
In a brand new programme, Finding Harmony – A King’s Vision, King Charles speaks of his personal passions around the environment and touches on many issues, including growing vegetables.
As he discusses his own preferences, he gets on to the topic of baked potatoes which, he reveals, are one of his favourite foods.
In the film, which will be available to watch on Amazon Prime, The King says ”if you want to have a decent baked potato, which I love, you’ve got to have the crispy skins, so the red Duke of Yorks are very good.”
The Duke of York potato has been around for over a hundred years. The Royal Horticultural Society notes that it was first bred in 1891. At that time, there was no Duke of York although the title was recreated in the following year for the prince who would eventually become King George V.
The potato itself is a popular one, with the RHS noting that it is ”much valued” for its ”pale yellow tubers” and ”super rich flavour”. It’s good for windy gardens and thrives in moist but well drained soil including clay, loam and sand. Growers can expect to see flowers in the spring and foliage in the summer. It’s also a good choice for patio and containers so it’s easy to grow for many people.
It’s the only Duke of York that will be mentioned in royal circles now. In November 2025, King Charles removed the title from his younger brother, Andrew, by writing to the Lord Chancellor and asking for Duke of York to be removed from the Roll of Peerage. He also took away the two other titles that had been given to Andrew in 1986 by Queen Elizabeth II – Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh.
The King also stripped his brother of his HRH and title of Prince by issuing Letters Patent at the same time. The eighth in line to the throne is now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The unexpected mention of Duke of York came as some of the biggest names in showbiz gathered at Windsor Castle for the premiere of Finding Harmony – A King’s Vision. The show sets out many of Charles III’s personal beliefs around the environment.
Among the big names at the castle were Kate Winslet, Sir Kenneth Branagh, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Rod Stewart.
The Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also at the premiere.
Guests walked a green carpet for this focus on the environment while the castle itself was decorated with stunning foliage for the event.
Queen Camilla wore a striking deep green velvet evening coat for the premiere over a forest green trouser suit while the Duchess of Edinburgh was in a dark green satin dress. The Duchess of Gloucester chose to fly the flag by carrying a handbag decorated as a Union Jack.
