How to Brew Tea Like a Royal: The Favourite Teas of the Royal Family

With the royal coronation of King Charles quickly approaching, we thought it would be interesting to divulge into the tea-drinking habits of the royals. Tea is more than just a drink for the British royals, It’s more of a tradition, a ritual, a way of life. From the Queen’s daily afternoon tea to Prince Charles’s organic brews, tea has influenced the royal family in many ways. In this article, we’ll explore some of the tea preferences and habits of the most famous family in the world, and how tea has impacted their history and culture.

Royal Family Tea-Time

Tea has shaped the royal family’s history and culture in many ways. Tea was introduced to Britain by King Charles II’s wife, Catherine of Braganza, in the 17th century. Since then, tea has become a symbol of British identity and a staple of social occasions. The royal family has hosted countless tea parties, from garden parties at Buckingham Palace to charity events at Clarence House. Tea has also been a source of comfort and joy for the royals, especially during times of crisis and celebration.

King Charles’s Darjeeling Tea

Let’s begin with Charles, the new king! Compared to the other royals, King Charles has more of a unique and expensive taste in tea. His favourite tea is Darjeeling, which he drinks with both honey and milk. Darjeeling tea is grown in the foothills of the Himalayas in India, and is known for its delicate and floral flavour. I wonder if this tea reflects his personality? It’s also one of the most expensive teas in the world, due to its limited production and high demand. So as you can see, Charles only buys the best tea! King Charles has visited Darjeeling several times, and has praised its quality and sustainability too.

In fact, Charles has always been a passionate advocate for organic farming and environmental causes. He loves tea so much that he even has his own brand of organic teas, called Duchy Originals, which he sells through his company Waitrose & Partners Organic.

The Queen’s Royal Tea Time

The late Queen Elizabeth II was probably one of the most avid tea drinkers in the royal family. She had afternoon tea every day, wherever she was in the world. According to the former royal chef Darren McGrady, her favourite teas were Assam and Earl Grey, and she liked her tea to be boiling hot. She also had a very specific way of making tea: she poured the hot water over the tea leaves in a teapot, lets it steep for five minutes, and then adds a splash of milk.

When it came to her food selection, the Queen’s afternoon tea menu consisted of two types of sandwiches, scones, a small cake, and jam pennies (tiny sandwiches with jam filling). Apparently, she preferred to put jam on her scones first, followed by clotted cream. Moreover, some of her favourite sandwich fillings were cucumber, egg, and smoked salmon, and some of her favourite cakes were ginger cake and chocolate biscuit cake. The latter was so beloved by the Queen that she sometimes took a slice with her when she traveled.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s Decaf Latte & Mint Tea

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has a more modern and health-conscious approach to tea than the others! She reportedly likes to drink decaf lattes with skimmed milk, which is considered a bland and boring choice by some tea experts. However, she also enjoys herbal teas, such as peppermint and camomile, which have soothing and relaxing benefits. So it seems that Kate prefers the tasteful side of drinks with more health benefits! Check out the Teapigs Peppermint or Teapigs Camomile for a great British selection.

Kate is also known for her love of baking, especially during the lockdowns. She often makes cakes and treats for her children and husband, Prince William. Some of her specialties include banana bread (with chocolate chips and ginger) and sticky toffee pudding.

Prince William’s Breakfast Tea

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, follows his grandmother’s footsteps when it comes to tea. He likes to drink breakfast tea with milk, which is a blend of black teas that are strong and full-bodied. English breakfast tea is typically served with a hearty meal in the morning, but can also be enjoyed throughout the day. A popular and very common typically British English Breakfast tea is Twinings English Breakfast Blend.

Prince William also shares his grandmother’s fondness for chocolate biscuit cake, which he chose as his groom’s cake for his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. The cake is made with rich chocolate ganache and crushed biscuits, and is said to be very addictive!

Prince Phillip’s Strong Black Coffee

Surprisingly, Prince Phillip didn’t have a taste for the traditional English tea, or any other tea for that matter. It is said that he drank strong black coffee instead, and ate honey on toast with syrup and marmalade. Prince Charles had a less exciting and bland choice of food and drink compared to others in the royal family, but for some reason this was to be expected, given his no-nonsense personality!

Royal Family Tea

So, if you want to celebrate the coronation of King Charles in style, why not brew yourself a cup of tea and enjoy some royal-inspired treats? You’ll be in good company with the most famous family in the world.

As you can see, the royal family has a variety of tea preferences that reflect their personalities and lifestyles. You could try the traditional blends like Fortnum & Mason’s Royal Blend, Duchy Originals, and Whittard English Breakfast Tea. Or maybe some newer blends like Harney & Sons Royal Palace Tea. No matter what, there is a royal-approved tea for every tea lover!

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy reading some of our others:

• Top 10 Unusual Teas That Will Blow Your Mind
• Brew Your Way to Mindfulness: Tea and Meditation
• The Best Teas for Your Plants’ Existential Crisis
• Loose Leaf Tea: How to Improve The Quality And Flavour in 4 Steps
• The Art of Re-Steeping: How to Enjoy Multiple Cups of Flavour