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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 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 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 buffet table.
At 6 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 articles called
Tea Travels™.
Check out
English/American High
Tea Menu.
Lot of recipes for your
Afternoon Tea or High Tea.
Learn
the history of
English High Tea
The Afternoon Tea Gowns
of the
La
Belle Epoque (1880-1914), known as "The Beautiful Era."
SOURCES:
Rose Petal Tea, Rose Sugar Cubes & Mints: Reva Paul (212)
722-7981
Edible Crystal Roses:
www.Sweetfields.com
ELLEN EASTON, author of AFTERNOON TEA...TIPS,TERMS and
TRADITIONS and Good $ense For $uccess™, is a consultant to
leading hotels and tearooms, including The PLAZA and LADY
MENDL’s, is speaker and designer of related products to the
hotel, food service, retail and special event industries.
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. Prices on request.
AFTERNOON TEA...TIPS,TERMS and TRADITIONS By Ellen Easton
5 x7, paperback , 72 pages of how to’s, history, etiquette and
FAQ about afternoon tea, serving styles and more.
Now available at $20.00 each, post paid. Continental US Only.
Final sale.
(Wholesale accounts are welcome. Prices on request)
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!™ and Good $ense For
$uccess™ are the trade marked property of Ellen Easton/RED WAGON
PRESS.
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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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