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A Rose Tea - Photo By Ellen Easton ©2007 All Rights Reserved
Maintaining a tradition that began in 1860 with Queen Victoria, every year Queen Elizabeth II opens the
private gardens at Buckingham Palace to host three afternoon tea parties, each attended by 8,000 guests
respectively.
The invitations are sent to people of all walks of life,
either directly or on the recommendation of a Palace
approved sponsor. It is not possible for an individual
to request an invitation as all names must be submitted
by a pre-arranged quota list.
Customary attire for gentlemen is morning dress, suit,
uniform, or National dress. Ladies wear afternoon dress,
usually with a hat and gloves or National dress.
The gates open at 3:00 p.m. so that the guests may enjoy a walk
in the Royal Gardens, which are usually not open to the public.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by
members of the Royal Family, enter the garden at 4:00 p.m.
as one of two bands plays the National Anthem. Taking a
different route, each Royal circulates amongst the
guests. High ranking, dignitaries, and special guests
proceed to the Royal tent to join the Royal Family for
afternoon tea. The remaining guests are served tea from
a 408-foot long buffet table.
At 6:00 p.m., the Queen and Royal Family depart for the
Palace, where once again the National Anthem is played
to indicate that the party has ended.
Your own garden party doesn't have to be as daunting as task as those for the Palace. By
planning in advance using the wonderful sources
available, your party is guaranteed to be equally as impressive.
Check out more of Ellen Easton's
Tea Travels™ articles and recipes.
The Afternoon Tea Gowns of the La Belle Epoque (1880-1914),
known as "The Beautiful Era."
Learn about the
History of English High Tea and more delicious
Afternoon Tea Recipes.
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Buckingham Palace Garden Party Statistics
(based on attendance of 8,000 people - list courtesy of Buckingham Palace)
Food:
20,000 various tea sandwiches
5,000 bridge rolls
9,000 butter drop scones
9,000 fruit tartlets
3,000 butter cake fingers
8,000 slices of chocolate/lemon cake
4,500 slices of Dundee cake
4,500 slices of Majorca cake
3,500 slices of chocolate/jam Swiss roll
Beverages:
(weather dependent)
27,000 cups of Maison Lyons tea*
10,000 glasses of iced coffee
20,000 glasses of fruit squash
* Maison Lyons tea is a special blend
produced exclusively by Twinnings for the Buckingham
Palace Garden Parties. It is a blend of Darjeeling
and Assam leaves which gives the unique flavor of
peaches or Muscat grapes.
Equipment:
12,000 tea cups and saucers
10,000 teaspoons
10,000 tea plates
6,000 glasses
408-foot buffet table
Staff and Management:
400 waiting staff and 30 management
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Ellen Easton is a lifestyle industry leader, tea and etiquette authority, author of Afternoon Tea~ Tips, Terms and Traditions,
A Tea Party Planner and Tea Travels™ For The Holidays (RED WAGON PRESS), as well as a hospitality, design and retail consultant, whose clients have included The Waldorf=Astoria,
The Plaza, and Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon.
Easton’s family traces their tea roots to the early 1800s, when ancestors first introduced tea plants from India and China to the Colony of Ceylon,
thus building one of the largest and best cultivated teas estates on the island.
REVA PAUL, an internationally acclaimed confectionery artist, hand decorated floral sugars and mints are available by special
order for teas, weddings, and special events. Wholesale/Retail - Bulk & Gift boxed. All prices on request via RED WAGON PRESS (212) 722-7981.
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AFTERNOON TEA...TIPS,TERMS and TRADITIONS
By Ellen Easton
72 pages of how to’s, 27 photos, history, etiquette and FAQ about afternoon tea, serving styles and more. “Tea is the luxury everyone can
afford!™”
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TEA TRAVELS™FOR THE HOLIDAYS
By Ellen Easton
64 pages, 21 color photos. A complete holiday menu includes 25 easy to prepare recipes; theme teas, decorating & gift ideas; invitation template
and secret sources.
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Each 5 x 7 paperback book fits into an A-7 envelope for
easy mailing, great gift or party favor item. Each book
is $20.00 post paid. Continental US Only. Final sale.
(Wholesale and Fundraising accounts are welcome. Call
for Special Prices) Please include your name, address
and telephone number for shipping. Please make check or M.O. payable to: RED WAGON PRESS and send to: RED WAGON
PRESS, 45 East 89th Street, Suite 20A, NYC, NY
10128-1256
TEA TRAVELS™, Wishing You Happy TEA TRAVELS!™,
“Tea is the luxury everyone can afford!™”
and Good $ense For
$uccess™ are the trade marked property of Ellen Easton/RED WAGON PRESS.
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