Her hosts can also forget serving spicy foods, rare meat or uncooked shellfish.

Even local mineral water is frowned upon - mineral water from Britain has been shipped out instead.

Fruit is a much better menu item - except for strawberries, which her husband cannot stand.

Duke's dislike: Strawberries are not the only fruit, luckily

The banned items are reportedly on a list of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's likes and dislikes given to the five-star Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria and Durban's Royal Hotel, where they are staying during their visit.

The instructions were reported in South African media and found their way onto the internet.

Cotton sheets and blankets should adorn the royal bed, although the couple will accept duvets if the hotel would have to go out and buy blankets.

TVs are banned in the bedroom, although a TV in the sitting room, especially with English channels, is more than acceptable.

The Queen has asked to breakfast on wholewheat toast, oat cakes and English marmalade, while the Duke prefers a traditional English breakfast.

Gabriel Motsosi, a manager at the Sheraton, confirmed the hotel had received information about the royal visit in advance.

'Not unusual'

"We got the list from the British High Commission. It originated from Britain and they forwarded information through the embassy. It was quite long.

"It is normal things you would like to know to make sure the visit is as planned as expected."

A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said: "I cannot comment on the validity of this list. Generally speaking it is not unusual for a country hosting a royal visit to ask if there are particular likes and dislikes.