We Should Always Eat Burgers With a Knife and Fork – According to a Former Royal Butler

When it comes to enjoying a burger, most people in the U.S. are happy to grab it with both hands and dive in. But, according to Grant Harrold, former butler to King Charles III, you’ve been doing it all wrong. Harrold insists that the proper way to eat a burger is not with your hands, but with a knife and fork. While this may sound a bit too fancy for your average backyard BBQ, it's a practice Harrold claims was used in royal circles, and one that brings an air of sophistication to an otherwise casual meal. Let’s take a closer look at why this royal tip is getting so much attention.

Grant Harrold isn’t your typical fast-food fan. Having worked for King Charles, he’s seen a lot of high-society dining, where the art of proper etiquette is as essential as the meal itself. According to Harrold, using a knife and fork to eat a burger isn’t just for royalty—it’s about treating the burger like a fine dining dish. In a recent Instagram post, Harrold demonstrated how to properly cut and eat a burger with utensils, even quipping, “We never use our hands unless, of course, you’re Fred Flintstone”.

To Harrold, a burger is more than just a quick meal. It's a culinary experience, and when prepared and presented properly, it deserves to be eaten with the same care you'd apply to a beautifully plated steak or roast. After all, when you’re in a setting like Buckingham Palace or Highgrove House, where dining is always dignified, a bit of formality in eating a burger is no surprise​.

The Case for Cleanliness and Elegance

One of the biggest selling points Harrold makes for eating a burger with a knife and fork is the cleanliness factor. Anyone who’s ever taken a bite of a messy burger knows that juice, sauce, and toppings often end up all over your hands. For those dining in formal settings—or just trying to avoid looking like a food disaster—utensils offer a more refined way to manage the chaos. Plus, with the right cutlery, you can neatly take smaller, more curated bites, enjoying the balance of flavors without the mess​.

For Harrold, using a knife and fork elevates the burger from a street food classic to something you might find in a high-end restaurant. This sense of refinement appeals not only to the royal clientele he served but also to anyone hoping to inject a little sophistication into their eating habits. It’s the difference between eating like a tourist and dining like a seasoned connoisseur​.

Why Most People Aren’t On Board

While Harrold’s perspective certainly gives us something to think about, most burger lovers are firmly against using a knife and fork. According to surveys, only 13% of people in the UK—where this royal etiquette advice originated—use utensils for their burgers​. The overwhelming majority, 63%, still prefer to keep things casual, grabbing the burger with both hands and indulging in the messy, fun experience it offers. After all, burgers are designed to be held by hand, making them the perfect grab-and-go food for a casual meal. For many, the mess is part of the enjoyment.

Harrold isn’t suggesting that everyone abandon their hands when eating a burger. Instead, he’s advocating for a mindset shift. By all means, dive in with your hands when you’re in a casual setting. But, when the occasion calls for a more elegant touch—perhaps at a fine dining establishment or a more formal social gathering—Harrold’s tip may just be the way to go.

Interestingly enough, the debate over whether to eat a burger with hands or with cutlery harkens back to the origins of the sandwich itself. John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, is credited with inventing the sandwich in the 18th century, specifically to avoid interrupting his gambling game. He wanted something that could be eaten with one hand while he continued to place bets. His invention was all about practicality​. Fast forward to today, and many see a burger in a similar light—simple, efficient, and hands-on.

If Montagu were alive today, he might find it amusing that we’ve elevated the burger to such lofty dining heights, but his original intent would likely still resonate: practicality over refinement. For those of us who don’t live by royal standards, sometimes a good ol’ messy bite is all we need​.