Queen Elizabeth Afternoon Tea Recipes
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Queen Elizabeth Afternoon Tea Recipes: Hosting a royal tea fit for a queen becomes a bit easier when consulting the late Queen Elizabeth's favorite teatime recipes, tea preferences, and even etiquette when taking tea with royalty.
For more royal-inspired desserts, try this classic British bread and butter pudding, a rich custard bake with timeless appeal, or these Buckingham Palace Shortbread Cookies.
If serving an Afternoon Tea fit for a Queen is what you have in mind, we've gathered some of the late Queen Elizabeth's favorite afternoon tea recipes, along with royal guidance on how to properly drink tea, whether or not to raise your pinky, and an answer to an age-old debate over tea before milk.
Continue reading to view Queen Elizabeth's Afternoon Tea recipes, her preferred tea, and how she liked it brewed and served.
Her majesty's former chief pastry chef tells the Telegraph that Queen Elizabeth enjoyed afternoon tea daily, without fail.
He said,
"Such an event is a more formal affair where the tea must be brewed just-so, the cream cakes filled with seasonal British fruit and the jam sandwiches cut into the shape of old English pennies."
"Every day she would have what we called a 'cut cake' - meaning she would cut a slice of it off - small cakes like eclairs or raspberry tartlets, and then scones: one day plain, the next day fruit. And two types of sandwiches: smoked salmon, or Sage Derby cheese and tomato, roast beef, or jam pennies."
Darren McGrady, former person chef to Queen Elizabeth
On Tea: Does The Queen Pour the Milk in Before the Tea?
"The British royal family love their tea as much as the rest of the nation! But where does the Queen stand on the age-old debate about whether you pour the milk in first, or the tea? Her Majesty's royal butler Grant Harrold shared an insight into the Queen's favourite tea and how to prepare the perfect brew. Drumroll please… the monarch is a fan of Assam and Earl Grey, and will always add the milk after the tea," Hello! Magazine says.
Mr. Harrold has told the BBC that it's a "myth that members of Royalty use their pinky when drinking, I have never seen that happen once."
He further explains the "'correct' way to make tea is to stir it back and forth never in a circle and never with the spoon touching the sides."
Lastly, he advises that one should always sip delicately from your cup and never slurp.
On Scones: Jam or Cream First?
When it comes to scones, the "great scone debate" often comes up in conversation.
The sometimes contentious debate? Should the cream or the jam be spread first?
"Cream tea has been served in the UK since the 11th century, and arguments surrounding the order of spreading the scone's traditional toppings have ruminated ever since. While those in Devon typically spread the clotted cream first, followed by jam, the Cornish tradition is to spread jam first, followed by cream."
If you're curious as to how Queen Elizabeth reportedly preferred her scones, The Independent quotes comments from former Royal pastry chef Darren McGrady:
"The Queen always had homemade Balmoral jam first, with clotted cream on top at Buckingham Palace garden parties in the royal tea tent and all royal tea parties."
Queen Elizabeth and Her Favorite Tea
If you want to serve tea as the late Queen Elizabeth preferred, brew a pot of Earl Gray or Assam tea.
Her Majesty's royal butler, Grant Harrold, said the Queen enjoyed "her Assam or her Earl Grey the traditional way, made with tea leaves in a teapot and poured into a fine bone china teacup. She will also use a strainer."
Teas Preferred by Queen Elizabeth
- Taylors of Harrogate Pure Assam Loose Leaf Tea (see on Amazon)
- Harney & Sons Black Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea (see on Amazon)
- Twinings Lady Grey Loose Leaf Tea (see on Amazon)
- Fortnum & Mason British Tea, Royal Blend (see on Amazon)
When was Queen Elizabeth's Afternoon Tea Served?
Royal tradition says Afternoon Tea is celebrated "between 3 pm and 5 pm with an assortment of cakes, pastries, dainty sandwiches and, of course, scones with clotted cream, curd, and strawberry preserves."
Royal Afternoon Tea is "served from elegant silver teapots into fine bone china teacups, Afternoon Tea and Cream Tea were set on low tables as the ladies relaxed in comfortable parlour chairs or in the garden."
Etiquette Observed When Invited to Afternoon Tea with the Royalty
- Upon the first meeting with royalty, one would address the former Queen as "Your Majesty" and after, then "Ma'am." When departing, she would once again be addressed as "Your Majesty."
- When royalty enters a room, the proper form is to be standing.
- Only the teacup should be raised when drinking… never the pinkie finger.
- The teacup should always rest on the saucer when one is not drinking.
- One is expected to stop eating once a member of the Royal Family has finished eating.
Queen Elizabeth's Birthday
Every year, Queen Elizabeth celebrated her birthday twice. She was born on April 21, 1926, and celebrates privately with her family.
Her official birthday was celebrated on the second Saturday in June with "Trooping the Colour," also known as the Queen's Birthday Parade.
The Mall outside Buckingham Palace "is filled with flag-waving, Union Jack-clad merrymakers, all gathered to watch the official Trooping the Colour celebrations."
Queen Elizabeth and a life of service.
"The Queen ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a much loved and respected figure across the globe."
I think I speak for my generation when I say that the example and continuity provided by The Queen is not only very rare among leaders but a great source of pride and reassurance.
The Duke of Cambridge
A Garden Afternoon Tea Hosted by Queen Elizabeth
"Over 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 tea sandwiches, and 20,000 cake slices are consumed yearly at garden parties across The Royal Residences!"
Books and Cookbooks
Royal Teas: Seasonal Recipes from Buckingham Palace
“What could be more quintessentially British than a spot of afternoon tea? It’s a hallowed tradition that’s taken particularly seriously at Buckingham Palace, where for more than a decade Royal Chef Mark Flanagan and his team have prepared an afternoon tea that reflects the best of this venerable tradition across the seasons, from springtime picnics to sophisticated summer garden parties and festive Christmas teas.”
Darren’s Easy Seasons Entertaining
Darren McGrady, the former personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, has curated and created delicious, easy recipes that will add an elegant touch to any meal without requiring hours of laboring in the kitchen.
Town & Country: The Queen: A Life in Pictures
"Since she succeeded to the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II has become respected, celebrated, and beloved around the world. This stunning collection of powerful images illustrates her storied reign in all its glory."
The Platinum Jubilee Cookbook: Recipes and stories
"70 wonderful recipes, alongside profiles of Great British ingredients and diplomatic stories, to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee"
Queen Elizabeth Afternoon Tea Recipes
Serve a Royal Tea fit for a Queen with these simple, delicious, and festive afternoon tea recipes favored by the late Queen Elizabeth.
Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Chocolate Tea Cake
"'This chocolate biscuit cake is Her Royal Majesty the Queen's favorite afternoon tea cake by far,' chef Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef and former personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II," said. "This cake is probably the only one that is sent into the royal dining room again and again until it has all gone."
A Royal Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe
A garden party favorite, the Victoria Sponge is named for Queen Elizabeth's great great grandmother.
Queen Elizabeth's Drop Scones: A Perfect Teatime Treat
A quick and easy drop scones the late Queen Elizabeth is said to have loved.
A Royal Recipe for Fruit Scones
"The Royal Pastry Chefs are happy to share their recipe for fruit scones, which traditionally would be served at Buckingham Palace every summer."
Coronation Chicken Salad Sandwiches
"Originally created for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, Coronation Chicken Salad is still popular today."
Penny Sandwiches
"Teatime consists of a ‘penny’ - With their tea, the family really enjoys a sandwich called “jam penny.” The food got its name because it is cut into circles the size of an old English penny."
For a sweet treat at tea, she may ask for her childhood favorite – jam pennies, tiny raspberry jam sandwiches cut into small circles the size of an old English penny. She used to snack on them with her little sister Princess Margaret in the nursery as kids, according to the Telegraph.
Tea Sandwiches
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. The bread is always either whole wheat or white bread, sliced thinly, and cut into squares with the corners cut off similar to an octagon-like shape.
Chocolate Cupcake Recipe for Queen Elizabeth's 94th Birthday
In honor of the British monarch's 94th birthday today, her chefs shared a chocolate cupcake recipe on social media, complete with a little decorating inspiration.
More Afternoon Tea Ideas
- How to Host an Easy Afternoon Tea
- Taking Afternoon Tea Like the British
- All our Afternoon Tea Recipes and Ideas here >>
If you try this recipe, I'd love to hear your comments and consider giving it a 5-star rating. Explore the recipe index for more easy, delicious ideas, and stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
Dear Stephanie,
I totally enjoy your site and the lovely posts you present each and every time. The recipes are delicious and they are full of charm and warmth. Thank you for everything....truly appreciate your efforts and passion.
Sincerely,
Lisa 🙂
Thank you so much, Lisa, for your kind and sweet words! You have absolutely made my day, in fact, I think I'll just sail through the rest of it, thanks to you. This post in particular was such a joy to write and research. She is a beautiful lady. Thank you for reading :)!
Thank you for the lovely story on Queen Elizabeth's Afternoon Teas.
You're welcome, Patricia! It was certainly a pleasure to write and research.
No recipes. Do I have to buy the cookbooks?
Hi Dona, to get the links to the recipes, scroll to the bottom of the post and click on either the images or the "Keep Reading" button. For instance, look for "Her Majesty's Carrot Cake" and either click or tap the carrot cake image or the button below it. This will take you to the recipe.
This is a wonderful article on the Queen's favorite tea and recipes for afternoon tea. Thank you.
Thank you, Ann! It was such a pleasure to write!!