Late monarch reportedly made sure her grandson’s favourite treat was always waiting
Queen Elizabeth II shared many quiet family moments with her grandson Prince William, and one of their simple traditions involved afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace.
According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, the late monarch often invited William to join her for tea and snacks, making sure his favourite dessert was always included on the menu.
McGrady explained that during most of the school year, William and Harry were away studying at Ludgrove School, so they rarely joined the wider family for afternoon tea at the palace.
“During the week, Prince William and Prince Harry would be at school, so they wouldn’t usually be there for tea,” McGrady said while speaking to Coffee Friend. “It was mainly during holidays like Easter, Christmas, or the summer at Balmoral Castle that they would spend time with the rest of the Royal Family at afternoon tea.”
He also revealed that the young princes often had a separate “nursery tea,” rather than joining the main gathering.
“A lot of the time we would send nursery tea separately,” McGrady recalled. “We’d make things like caramel banana cake, jam tarts and other traditional British nursery treats. There was plenty of sugar, which used to drive the nanny crazy.”
But when William was specifically invited to tea with his grandmother, the Queen would ensure the kitchen prepared something special.
“If she knew Prince William was coming for afternoon tea, she would make sure we served chocolate biscuit cake because she knew it was his favourite,” McGrady explained. “She would write it on the menu and add a number two, which told us there would be two people having tea.”
The small gesture highlighted the warm bond between the late monarch and her grandson, with simple traditions like tea and cake creating cherished family moments inside the palace.
