Queen Elizabeth and Prince William enjoy tea at Buckingham Palace

Queen Elizabeth II hosted an intimate gathering with her grandson, Prince William, during their traditional afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace. The Queen, known for her close relationship with the younger royals, ensured that chocolate biscuit cake was on the menu. Former chef Darren McGrady of Buckingham Palace provided insight into royal protocols, explaining that Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry, often spent time away from the palace during regular afternoon tea events.

“During school weeks, they would be at Ludgrove for their education, but these special occasions allowed them to spend quality time with the rest of the Royal family,” McGrady shared. “We typically sent nursery tea separately to ensure the boys didn’t join the Royal Family for their tea.”

“At Balmoral or during festive seasons like Easter and Christmas, they would get to see their grandmother in person at these gatherings,” he elaborated. “I remember the cakes we used to serve—caramel banana cake with lots of sugar, which was a hit among them—and traditional jam tarts. These were classic British nursery foods served for afternoon tea.”

McGrady also offered some guidance on how she communicated such events: “If she said Prince William was coming, she would write it down and include the number two to indicate there were two spots available,” he noted with a chuckle. “That’s one of those little secrets that only we in the Palace understood.”