It's been reported that Her Majesty often enjoyed Twinings of London Earl Gray Black Tea — a classic and all-natural selection that includes notes of citrus and bergamot — with a splash of milk and no sugar.
Whatever the Queen ate for her morning or afternoon tea, it was apparently always “washed down with a delightful steaming hot cup of Earl Grey tea”. Traditionally, you're supposed to serve Earl Grey in a cup and saucer with a slice of lemon.
The recipe for Queen Elizabeth's afternoon tea snack was simple: Butter two slices of soft, white bread and slather one in strawberry jam—preferably handmade from Scottish strawberries grown in the gardens of Balmoral Castle, the Queen's summer home in Scotland.
Earl Grey Tea
It is the tea most associated with royalty in general and Queen Elizabeth specifically, and there is no question that its popularity was enhanced by being her majesty's favorite.
The Queen always asks for at least two kinds of sandwiches with her afternoon tea. Often she chooses cucumber, smoked salmon, egg with mayonnaise, ham and mustard, or tuna.
It's been reported that Her Majesty often enjoyed Twinings of London Earl Gray Black Tea — a classic and all-natural selection that includes notes of citrus and bergamot — with a splash of milk and no sugar.
The Buckingham Palace Garden Party Tea from English Tea Store is flavoury, medium bodied tea with delicate Earl Grey and Jasmine notes. Perfect as a light afternoon tea. Every May, the Queen holds a garden party at Buckingham Palace, a lovely English springtime tradition.
Kate Middleton - Decaf Latte
Darren says: “The concept of decaf indicates that a person is very controlled and self-aware, since drinking too much coffee can be an issue. Though, by ordering a decaf, this largely alleviates the effects of caffeine, while still getting a similar taste.
Prince William: English Breakfast Tea
"As a personality, drinking regular breakfast tea suggests stability and consistency, not for someone taking too many risks.
"The Queen had afternoon tea every day, wherever she was in the world. If we were at Buckingham Palace and she was on her own for tea, or whether she had Prince William come and join her, or whether she had a garden party for 6000 people or even if she was on the Royal Britannia in Australia," he recalled.
Yes, really! The monarch isn't the only royal to enjoy the afternoon pick-me-up, with the likes of Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and the Duchess of Cornwall all having their own individual preferences. It seems the assumption that the royals sip on Earl Grey and nibble on scones is only partially true!
Before you ask, according to her former butler Grant Harold, she's a stickler for tradition. The Queen drinks loose leaf tea, which once it's brewed is poured through a strainer into a bone china cup, before a splash of milk is added.
Grant went on to note that the Queen always adds milk to the cup after the tea because it is the "proper" way of doing things. "Since the 18th century, the 'proper' way of brewing tea has been to serve tea before milk, and this is something that the British royals adhere to,” he said.
However, many of us rejoice in daily cups of tea and it is said that King Charles prefers Darjeeling.
The Queen preferred grilled fish or chicken, served simply with vegetables. She generally skipped starches like potatoes, grains, or rice during her evening meal.
The Duchess of Sussex is also said to enjoy herbal infusions and in a piece for the September issue of British Vogue, Meghan revealed how she and Editor-in-chief Edward Enninful bonded over a steaming cup of mint tea.
For breakfast she keeps things simple. Royal biographer, Katie Nicholl, has previously said: "HRH typically starts with a simple cup of tea and biscuits, followed by a bowl of cereal." (The Guardian previously reported she likes to keep it in Tupperware to preserve its freshness.)
OVERVIEW. This beautiful black tea was said to be one of Princess Diana's favourite teas, the Emperor Rose Congou is a blend of black teas from India and China layered 5 times with Rose Petals.
Yorkshire tea is often regarded as Britain's most popular tea type, and Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea is no exception.
While Da Hong Pao is the most expensive tea in the world and available only at auctions, there is another Chinese tea that is pretty expensive. And while it doesn't have Ming dynasty connections, it is related to a rare animal found in China. The Panda Dung tea uses the panda's dung as fertiliser.
Queen Elizabeth II was known to love their tea and reportedly drank a cup of Fortnum & Mason's Earl Grey at breakfast every morning. In 2012, she opened the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon in her first joint appearance with the Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge.
Collectively, the British drink about 100 million cups of tea per day, according to the UK Tea and Infusion Association. Of those 100 million daily cups, at least two go to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (via Taste of Home).
Dating from the days of Queen Victoria of England, afternoon garden tea parties with over 8,000 guests each have been given annually at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth II carrying on the tradition even today. It's an occasion for wearing nice dresses and suits, white cotton gloves, and even hats.
She preferred a cocktail of two parts Dubonnet to one part gin, garnished with lemon.