Afternoon tea fit for the Queen!
Buckingham Palace ex-chef reveals that the Queen’s favorite afternoon tea treats are raisin scones, banana bread and fruitcake… but no marmalade sandwiches!
- Darren McGrady has revealed exactly how the Queen enjoys her afternoon tea
- She likes two kinds of sandwiches, two scones and different kinds of cake
- Mr McGrady said afternoon tea is very ‘important’ for the 96-year-old monarch
A former royal chef has described exactly how the Queen likes her afternoon tea. Unfortunately for Paddington, there isn’t a marmalade sandwich in sight.
Many of us drank a few scones at street parties over the Platinum Jubilee weekend, and even Her Majesty was seen having tea with Paddington on Saturday.
Now Darren McGrady, who has served the Queen for 15 years, has revealed how the monarch prefers her afternoon tea – which he said is very important to Her Majesty.
Mr McGrady said: ‘When I started as a young chef at Buckingham Palace, it was fascinating to see how important afternoon tea was to the Queen.’
He says the Queen enjoys a “full afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes.”
A former royal chef has described exactly how the Queen likes her afternoon tea – and of course it involves cucumber sandwiches. Above the queen in her sketch of Paddington Bear
Darren McGrady, who has served the Queen for 15 years, has revealed how the monarch prefers her afternoon tea – which he says is very important to Her Majesty
It’s largely about two types of sandwiches, adds Mr. McGrady.
“Two kinds of sandwiches, often English York ham with English mustard and cucumber, skinned and sent to the royal cellars for Pimm’s garnish,” he says.
Of course, the chef also made a selection of cakes and scones for the Queen.
Pictured: Former Royal Chef Darren McGrady
He says, ‘In terms of scones – a day plain and a day with raisins folded in.
“Also small pastries such as raspberry tarts and a cut cake (one from which she can cut a slice) honey and cream biscuit, fruitcake, banana bread or her favorite chocolate chip cookie cake.”
Her Majesty even has a favorite tea, says Mr McGrady.
It would all be ‘washed down with a lovely steaming cup of Earl Gray tea’.
Mr McGrady worked for the royal household for 15 years, caring for the likes of Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry throughout his royal career.
Although the Queen was not present at much of her four-day platinum anniversary party because she felt a bit “uncomfortable” early on, the 96-year-old did make an unexpected appearance on Saturday night.
In a video played at the start of the Platinum Party at the Palace, Her Majesty was featured in a comedy skit with Paddington Bear – in which the couple enjoyed tea.
Then, together, they tapped the rhythm of the We Will Rock You song on porcelain teacups with silver spoons as a unique way to get the party started.
The Queen pictured at Buckingham Palace with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and their children George, Charlotte and Louis