King Charles enjoys four cups of tea a day, a former royal butler has revealed.
Grant Harrold, who served as the King’s personal butler at Highgrove for more than six years, has shared insights into the monarchy’s drinking habits.
Tea is a staple in the Royal household, with family members being served tea and coffee six times throughout the day.
Harrold worked for the Royal Family from 2004 to 2011, serving Queen Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince William and Princess Kate.
King Charles enjoys four cups of tea a day, a former royal butler has revealed
Reuters
The King prefers his tea in a traditional cup and saucer, while the Princess of Wales opts for a more casual mug, according to the ex-butler.
Harrold told Coffee Friend: “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.
“But 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.”
The royal tea schedule is regimented, with beverages served at morning drink, breakfast, elevensies, lunch, afternoon tea and after dinner.
King Charles is regularly offered tea throughout the day
PA
Charles, who often works late and is regularly offered tea throughout the day, avoids sugar or sweeteners in his tea instead adding honey to his coffee when he wants something sweet, according to Harrold.
He also revealed that the royals prefer stronger brews, with traditional tea leaves favoured over teabags in royal households.
Former staff have revealed Charles is particular about brewing temperatures, insisting on using a thermometer.
They claim green tea should be brewed at exactly 70 degrees centigrade, while English Breakfast or Earl Grey requires boiling water at 100 degrees.
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Grant Harrold served as the King’s personal butler at Highgrove for more than six years
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Harrold also revealed that Earl Grey, Chinese or Indian teas like Assam are regularly offered to the royals.
He said: “We used to offer all members of the Royal Family 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.”
Royal etiquette dictates that cups aren’t replaced after finishing a drink but the cups are washed before being refilled with fresh tea.
However, when serving from a teapot, empty cups are simply topped up without washing.