IT IS a controversial British topic – but the debate about whether you should add milk to tea first or last has been sparked once more by none other than the future king.
Prince Charles, 71, enjoys his cuppa made in a very specific way, according to the hospitality manager at the Scottish mansion where royal butlers are trained.
The revelation that Prince Charles adds milk to his tea last has stirred quite the online debate
Evan Samson who works at Dumfries House – where staff who go on to work at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are educated on regal ways on an intensive five-week course – revealed to HOARday Times there are strict instructions for making a brew.
The rules taught at the 18th-century stately home in Ayrshire, which was given 20m grant from Prince Charles Charitable Fund in 2007, include sweetening tea with honey rather than milk, and adding milk last.
But to start with, for a cuppa that would get the royal seal of approval you need to ditch tea bags in favour of loose tea leaves and a teapot.
It should be one teaspoon of tea leaves per tea cup – plus an extra serving – which should all be added to the tea pot.
Water should be heated to 100C for Earl Grey or English breakfast tea, and checked with a thermometer.
Brew time should be around five minutes for black tea.
Honey to sweeten needs be added in advance to the teacup – which should have its handle placed to the right, with a teaspoon beneath.
Only once the tea has been poured can you add milk, presented in a small jug.
A royal brew must be sweetened with honey and the preferred 100C temperature checked with a thermometer
The exacting requirements have stirred a debate on Twitter with some people horrified the royals – including the first-in-line to the throne – like their milk added last.
One person wrote: “I don’t want him to be king.”
Taking the prince’s side, another commented: “ME TOO.”
A third shared: “This is how I have made my tea FOREVER (I do use sugar and not honey, BUT I do brew it for five mins, with a timer, I know, I know) and now I shall continue to do so with royal endorsement.”
And a fourth asked: “What’s the big deal?”
In other royal news, we told you that Mary Berry called Prince William and Kate Middleton a “pigeon couple” who will mate for life.
We also revealed that Princess Beatrice’s wedding date is “set for June”.
And Meghan Markle’s high school prom photo baffles royal fans who can’t believe how little she has aged.
