When it comes to eating cake, the royal family has strict rules to follow – and the former royal butler says it stops you looking like a “hungry hippo”.
The The Great British Baking Tournament is back with a new group of contestants, and while many of us can’t resist baking some of the tastiest recipes from Great British Bake Off at home, eating cake as a member of the royal family seems to be a lot more complicated.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold has revealed how the royal family traditionally eats cake – and it’s not as easy as you’d think.
Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Grant explains why the royals “always” cut cake into smaller pieces. He says: “It’s always a good idea to have a cake already cut into smaller pieces. Don’t give big pieces. It’s not a takeaway or fast food, it’s a delicate meal. Always take small bites, we’re not hungry hippos after all.”
However, the rules are a little more relaxed for afternoon tea. He explained: “At afternoon tea, you should always start with the sandwiches, then the scones, and then the cakes. While cakes should be eaten with a fork, at afternoon tea, sandwiches can be eaten with your fingers – they are called finger sandwiches after all.”
And when the royals eat with guests, they must first offer their visitors something to eat and always eat with a napkin and fork.
Grant advised: “Always make sure there are napkins and forks available because everyone, including the royals, should use a napkin and a fork and try not to eat everything in one go.”
“Always offer pastries to your guests first. It doesn’t matter how hungry you are or how many pastries are on your plate. Etiquette requires that everyone has the chance to get a pastry before the host.”
If you’re wondering what kind of cake might be on the royal menu, Grant has a joke ready: “The royal family is more into traditional cakes. It’s well known that the king likes fruitcake. The king isn’t a particularly sweet tooth, but afternoon tea and cake are probably part of it.”
“Queen Elizabeth II was known to love chocolate biscuit cake and it was reported that she would take a small slice with tea every day until the cake was finished and then move on to another,” he added.
In other royal news, Prince William and Harry’s first baby meals were introduced by the royal chef and are so easy to make at home (ready in 3 minutes!) And Prince George is ‘obsessed’ with this homemade delicacy and Kate Middleton has to ‘act’ to get it.
