Imagine waking up one morning to find an owl delivering an invitation for afternoon tea with the Queen of England! How exciting! But before you go, there are some important rules you need to know to make sure everything goes smoothly.
First things first, don’t be late! If your invitation says 4:00 pm, make sure you’re there by then. Being late to meet the Queen is a big no-no. Afternoon tea is a special event, not just a snack, so be punctual!
What you wear is important too. Even if the invitation doesn’t mention a dress code, you should dress nicely. Think smart casual or business casual. For boys, a nice shirt and pants will do, and for girls, a dress that covers the knees is perfect.
When you see the Queen, greet her with “Good afternoon, Your Majesty.” After that, you can call her “Ma’am,” but never use her first name. Show respect, and you’ll be off to a good start!
Now, let’s talk about tea! When it’s time to pour your tea, remember to pour the tea first, not the milk. This tradition dates back to the 18th century. Use a strainer to catch any loose leaves, and then add milk and sugar if you like.
When stirring your tea, don’t swirl it around. Instead, move the spoon back and forth like the hands of a clock from 12 to 6. And no clinking the sides of the cup!
Hold the cup by the handle with your index finger and thumb, and let your middle finger support the bottom. Keep your pinkie down; sticking it out is considered rude!
Food is served on a three-tier stand. Start with sandwiches, then scones, and finally, the sweets. Sandwiches are small and crustless, and the Queen’s favorites include cucumber, smoked salmon, and egg with mayonnaise.
When it’s time for scones, pronounce it “sKAAAHN” to avoid any mix-ups. Use a butter knife to cut it, and follow the Queen’s lead by spreading jam first, then cream.
As the tea party ends, place your napkin to the left of your cup and saucer. You might not get to have tea with the Queen in real life, but you can practice these rules and even visit Madame Tussauds in London for a royal experience!
Think you can remember all these rules? Let us know! If you enjoyed learning about royal tea etiquette, share this with a friend and stay curious!
Gather your friends and host a pretend tea party. Assign roles such as the Queen, guests, and servers. Practice arriving on time, greeting each other properly, and using the correct tea etiquette. This will help you remember the rules while having fun!
Create a fashion show where you and your classmates dress up in outfits suitable for a royal tea party. Discuss why each outfit is appropriate and how it fits the dress code. This activity will help you understand the importance of dressing the part.
Test your knowledge with a quiz on tea etiquette. Create questions based on the rules discussed in the article, such as how to hold a teacup or the order of eating treats. Compete with your classmates to see who remembers the most!
Organize a tea tasting session where you sample different types of tea. Practice pouring, stirring, and tasting the tea using the proper etiquette. This hands-on activity will help you appreciate the tradition and flavors of tea time.
Create a poster that illustrates the key rules of having tea with the Queen. Use drawings or cut-out pictures to show each step, from greeting the Queen to enjoying the treats. Display your poster in the classroom to share what you’ve learned with others.
Tea – A hot drink made by infusing the dried, crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water. – During the history lesson, we learned that tea was a popular drink in ancient China.
Queen – A female ruler of a country or the wife of a king. – In English class, we read a story about a queen who ruled her kingdom with kindness and wisdom.
Etiquette – The customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. – Our teacher explained the importance of etiquette when attending formal events.
Invitation – A written or verbal request inviting someone to go somewhere or to do something. – We received an invitation to the school’s annual cultural fair.
Dress – A one-piece garment for a woman or girl that covers the body and extends down over the legs. – For the school play, each character had to wear a special dress that matched their role.
Respect – A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. – Our social studies teacher taught us to show respect for different cultures and traditions.
Sandwiches – Two or more slices of bread with a filling such as meat or cheese placed between them. – During the class picnic, we all enjoyed sandwiches and shared stories.
Scones – A small, lightly sweetened biscuit-like cake, often served with tea. – In our English lesson, we read about a British tea party where guests enjoyed scones with jam and cream.
Milk – A white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals, used as a drink by humans. – In history class, we discussed how milk was an important part of the diet in many ancient civilizations.
Sugar – A sweet crystalline substance obtained from various plants, used as a sweetener in food and drink. – We learned in science class how sugar is produced from sugarcane and sugar beet plants.
