The contemporary royal trendsetters have made it clear since they were wed in 2011 that they would be doing things their own way
04:49 ET, 27 Jun 2025Updated 05:54 ET, 27 Jun 2025
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Many families have slightly different ways of enjoying a cup of tea across their households and the royals are no different (Image: Getty Images)
Drinking tea is a national past time for British people (and others around the world) and everyone has their own preferred method on how to enjoy this staple.
Within families, this ritual can be the same or can vary between different households — and the royals are no different with the experience of enjoying a hot cuppa being modified by the new generation.
King Charles is still honoring an old tradition around drinking tea which has seen his eldest son’s family decide to take the practice in an entirely different direction. Former palace butler Grant Harrold spoke to UK coffee brand Coffee Friend about what people could expect if they were ever lucky enough to be invited for a brew at either of the two royal households.
Harrold revealed, via Hello! magazine: “If you’re being entertained in the presence of the royal family or at one of their homes, it’s most likely you will drink out of a teacup and saucer.”
It is believed to be mugs all around when drinking tea at the Prince and Princess of Wales’ house (Image: PA)
The former royal employee confirmed what the protocol would be if you shared a hot beverage with the prince and princess of Wales at their home, Adelaide Cottage.
“You can be sure you’ll be given a mug,” he said.
The king is a bit more stringent when it comes to royal protocol and formality than his son’s family. But the younger royals are slightly more flexible as they continue their bid to modernize the Monarchy and develop it for the 21st century. And there is a good chance that the couple’s more relaxed habit of drinking tea will stick around when they become king and queen.
“If you’re with the King and Queen, and it’s more of an occasion, you’ll probably be served tea or coffee in a cup and saucer or a demi cup,” explained Harrold.
According to Newby Teas, the royal family influenced the popularity of tea in the United Kingdom which now sees Brits obsessed with the drink. Many people will have several cups a day and it is seen not just as a beverage but a common thread that weaves itself through modern society and builds bridges across many different types of people.
Catherine of Braganza, former Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland, is one of the royals who is often credited with popularising the custom of drinking tea in England.. In 1662, her ship docked in Portsmouth after she had travelled from Portugal to England to marry King Charles II, bringing with her a substantial dowry, which included a chest of tea.
In Portugal at this time, tea drinking was a common custom which was enjoyed by both sexes in society. This was in stark contrast to tea in England which was considered a masculine beverage since it was only sold in coffee houses. This perception was changed with the arrival of Catherine of Braganza into the country and more people began enjoying the drink.