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It’s no secret the King enjoys a cup of tea(Image: POOL\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\nAccording to a former royal butler, the royal family has a very specific tea drinking schedule – and there are certain ways the family enjoy their favourite drinkIt’s no secret the King enjoys a cup of tea(Image: POOL\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
A cup of tea<\/a> is a staple in most family homes – and it’s no different for the royal family.<\/a> Now a former royal butler has shared just how the monarchy enjoy a warm cup just like the rest of us and spilled some of the secrets behind their drinking habits.<\/p>\n Grant Harrold served as King Charles<\/a>‘ personal butler at Highgrove from 2004 to 2011, and said tea and coffee is typically served six times a day in a royal household, and the King is known for enjoying multiple cups to keep him fueled while working at his desk.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Kate Middleton’s ‘secret message’ to Prince William as they look for ‘fresh start’<\/a> The former butler revealed the late Queen never opted for anything sweet in her tea or coffee, and Charles also stays clear of sweet additions, and the staff have to stick to the royal drinking schedule – as he breaks down the specific times everyone indulges in a hot drink.<\/p>\n Grant revealed to Coffee Friend that while older members of the family prefer a more civilised affair with a cup and saucer, Prince William<\/a> and Kate Middleton<\/a> are happy to enjoy a brew in a mug.<\/p>\n “The amount of time a tea or coffee is brewed is a personal choice. Everyone likes their coffee at different strengths, but the royals want to be able to taste their cup of tea or coffee, without it being stewed,” Grant revealed. “It will take a couple of minutes for a cup of tea, but if they’re making coffee in a cafeti\u00e8re, it will probably be four or five minutes for the best flavour.”<\/p>\n When it comes to sweetness, Grant said the King stays away from sugar or sweeteners when he\u2019s having a coffee as he opts for a spoon of honey and detailed: “It\u2019s a great alternative and he\u2019s had it for years.<\/p>\n “We used to offer all members of the Royal family<\/a> the choice to have sugar or sweeteners – but I must say, I have never seen the Queen or anyone indulge in sugar when having their coffee or tea.”<\/p>\n The insider also shared Charles’ love for both tea and coffee, and revealed he will have around “three to four cups a day, but it\u2019s offered regularly in case he “wants more” but there are specific types of tea that are drank.<\/p>\n “If you\u2019re at the Royal home, there will also be a Chinese or Indian tea on offer. Normally an Earl Grey or Assam will be within the selection. Tea bags are used from time to time, but Royals will definitely prefer tea leaves to a bag. It\u2019s more traditional,” he further detailed.<\/p>\n As the tea types differ, so does the cup they will drink it from as well Grant shared, “If you\u2019re being entertained in the presence of the Royal family or at one of their homes, it\u2019s most likely you will drink out of a teacup and saucer.<\/p>\n “But it depends on which Royals are present. If you’re in the kitchen with Princess Anne or Kate and William during a less formal visit, you can be sure you’ll be given a mug. But if you\u2019re with the King and Queen, and it\u2019s more of an occasion, you\u2019ll probably be served tea or coffee in a cup and saucer or a demi cup.”<\/p>\n He also revealed you won’t be given a new cup if you are having more than one cup of tea or coffee. It’s likely your cup will be taken away for a quick wash and then returned. Or if you are having it from a teapot, it won’t be washed. “It isn\u2019t bad etiquette to use the same cup unless you change the type of drink.”<\/p>\n According to Grant, this is what a royal’s daily drinking schedule looks like:<\/p>\n Morning drink: 7:30am<\/p>\n Coffee and tea<\/p>\n Breakfast: 8am-10:30am<\/p>\n Tea and coffee served<\/p>\n Elevenses: 11am-12pm<\/p>\n Tea will be served with biscuits<\/p>\n Prelunch drink: 12:30pm-1pm<\/p>\n Alcoholic drink served<\/p>\n Lunchtime: 1:30pm-2:30pm<\/p>\n Coffee and herbal tea served<\/p>\n Afternoon tea: 4pm-6pm<\/p>\n Traditional breakfast tea<\/p>\n Pre dinner drinks: 7:30pm-8pm<\/p>\n Alcoholic choice<\/p>\n After dinner: 8:30pm-10:30pm<\/p>\n Coffee and herbal teas served<\/p>\n![\"King](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2_The-Prince-Of-Wales-Attends-A-Plant-Health-And-Biosecurity-Conference.jpg\")
The royal family have a very specific tea drinking schedule(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n