This Was Queen Elizabeth II’s Favourite Tea

Tea has long been associated with the British royal family. Back in the 1800s, Queen Victoria was known to invite friends and family to join her for afternoon tea – and even had a special blend of tea created especially for her. During the 20th century, tea became a more formal affair, and Queen Elizabeth II would often host tea parties at Buckingham Palace. But what was her favourite cuppa? Tea expert Arthur Gautier of Nio Teas has shared the go-to blends of the royal family.

What Are The Royal Family’s Favourite Teas?

Queen Elizabeth II’s tea of choice was Earl Grey, with a splash of milk and no sugar – made using loose leaf tea. According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, she preferred it extra hot. ‘Hot tea has to be hot,’ he told Coffee Friend. ‘Tea has to be absolute boiling water poured over the top of it, it has to steep for five minutes, that is the most important part. It’s really, really important when making tea is that it’s made in a teapot – that is a real cup of tea.’

The late monarch was a big fan of afternoon tea, too. ‘The Queen had afternoon tea every day, wherever she was in the world,’ recalled McGrady. ‘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 6,000 people or even if she was on the Royal Britannia in Australia. The Queen loved afternoon tea, I would say it’s probably one of her favourite meals. Certainly when I was there, she would sit down religiously for tea.’

Photograph by Dorothy Wilding / Royal Collection Trust

Kate Middleton is also a fan, but she prefers hers with a touch of sweetness, choosing to add honey to her cup of Earl Grey. 

King Charles III, on the other hand, is partial to a Darjeeling. Known as the champagne of teas, Darjeeling is a type of black tea grown in the Darjeeling region of West Bengal, India. ‘I can just imagine him sipping on this floral delight while reflecting on climate change or admiring the gardens at Highgrove,’ says Arthur.

Prince William, meanwhile, keeps it simple with English Breakfast. ‘I imagine he starts the day with a hearty mug of English Breakfast while prepping for royal duties (or chasing after the kids),’ notes Arthur. 

He adds: ‘You can’t really talk about British life without mentioning tea – and the royals have made sure of that. Teas from royalty-approved brands like Twinings and Fortnum & Mason keep these traditions alive, allowing all of us to enjoy a taste of royalty from the comfort of our own homes.’

The question is: milk first or last? According to Grant Harold, the Queen’s former butler, the royal family always add their milk last – this allows you to judge the strength by the cup’s colour and aroma.