10 elegant high tea recipes to commemorate King Charles III’s Coronation
Just remember, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll believed that the correct method to topping a scone is jam first, then cream!
What better way to pay tribute to this week’s royal occasion, the Coronation of King Charles III, than partaking in the tradition that his late mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll enjoyed daily – high tea!
On May 6, 2023, the historic event will take place and the world will watch as Charles and his wife Camilla are officially crowned as King and Queen.
READ NEXT: How to make King Charles’ official Coronation dish
Where can I watch the King’s Coronation in Australia?
In the UK, King Charles III’s Coronation will be broadcast on television via the BBC.
In Australia, ABC and ABC News will broadcast live coverage from London from 5pm AEST on May 6. Listed below is the schedule for King Charles’ Coronation and what time (AEST) it’ll air on ABC:
- Preview coverage – 5pm
- Arrivals – 6pm
- Arrivals continued – 7pm
- The King’s Procession – 7.30pm
- Coronation Service – 8pm
- Procession from Westminster – 10pm
- Buckingham Palace Balcony – 10.30pm
On May 6, the world will watch Charles be crowned King!
Queen Elizabeth indulged in a high tea daily
No matter what was going on in the world, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll rarely neglected her afternoon tradition of high tea.
For tea, Queen Elizabeth would eat finger sandwiches with a filling of cucumber and smoked salmon (crusts off!). She would, of course, sip on freshly-brewed Earl Grey tea and if she was feeling decadent, treat herself to a scone or piece of cake.
Speaking of scones, the source of many years – if not decades – of debate in the high tea world, the correct way to top a scone is a controversial one. Some say that it is cream first followed by jam, whereas others swear it’s jam first, then cream.
Considering she took high tea on a daily basis, there proves no one better than Queen Elizabeth herself to settle to debate. According to Her Majesty, the correct way to method to topping a scone is in fact jam first, then cream!
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll rarely neglected her afternoon tradition of high tea.
The dos and don’ts of high tea
Just like a fine dining experience, high tea has its very own unique etiquette. While some rules are more flexible than others, there are some very important rules that are not to be messed around with.
The most important to remember are:
- Never start eating until everyone has been served.
- Avoid picking food from the tower with your fingers; use a fork if servers aren’t provided.
- Never leave your spoon in the cup, always place it on the saucer instead.
- Look into — not over — your teacup when sipping. It’s more polite!
10 elegant high tea recipes
You’ll love these treats with touch of class from Australian Women’s Weekly Food.
Blinis with smoked salmon
These light and fluffy mini savoury pancakes make the ultimate dinner party starter or appetiser, perfect for a Royal High Tea.
They are divine served with a dollop of fresh cream, and tender smoked salmon.
Baked coconut custard tarts
Sweet and satisfying, these little baked coconut custard tarts have the added nutty depth of both shredded and desiccated coconut, plus a dash of lemon zest.
Raspberry and orange cordial
Bright, fruity and packed with flavour, raspberry and orange cordial is a great base for a refreshing soft drink or used as a mixer for vodka or white rum.
Chicken and cucumber ribbon sandwiches
Entertain in style with these elegant ribbon sandwiches.
Chocolate and caramel macarons
Bite through the light outer-layer of these treats to reach the rich chocolate ganache centre.
Mini blue cheese quiches
Cute little mini quiches that pack a huge blue cheese punch.
Lemon meringue cupcakes
Mix up the classic lemon meringue pie by creating cute cupcakes! This recipe Combines two of our dessert favourites for the ideal afternoon treat.
How to make basic scones
This basic scones recipe uses only three ingredients to make. Serve with jam and cream.
Baked ricotta tartlets
These sweet pastries with a creamy filling and drizzled with warm marmalade – The Queen’s fave – can be made in advance and quickly prepared.