Charles: Ban the Big Mac

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His comments came as he attended the launch of a public health awareness campaign.

Charles, a strong advocate of organic food, was touring the Imperial College London

Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi with the Duchess of Cornwall.

He asked nutritionist Nadine Tayara: "Have you got anywhere with McDonald's, have you tried getting it banned? That's the key."

Royal observers said that Charles would have been aware that his comments would be picked by the media.

"He knew there was a reporter there and this is a subject close to his heart," said one source.

A Clarence House spokesman travelling with the Prince today issued a statement saying: "The Prince of Wales has for a long time advocated the importance of a balanced diet, especially for children.

"In visiting the Diabetes Centre today, he was keen to emphasise the need for children to enjoy the widest variety of food and not to eat any particular sort of food to excess." This is not the first time that the Prince has stepped into the debate about food. He has previously attacked the amount of genetically modified food being produced.

Today, the royal couple watched as a group of young children chose from a selection of "good" and "bad" snacks for their school packed lunches.

Charles was told about new initiatives to improve diet and fitness levels. McDonald's today described Charles's remark as "disappointing".

Other members of his family had visited the chain and "have probably got a more upto-date picture of us," a spokeswoman said, adding: "This appears to be an off-the-cuff remark, in our opinion. It does not reflect our menu or where we are as a business."

Princess Diana often took sons William and Harry to the McDonald's restaurant opposite Windsor Castle.

Charles's comments will fuel the debate about obesity in Britain. He has already called for a total ban on GM food, which he considers a health risk - a stance that has left him at odds with the Government.