How the Queen eats scones could divide her royal subjects

Brits traditionally love their Afternoon Tea, replete with patisseries, different blends of tea, finger sandwiches, and, of course, the scone. The Royal Family are no different, reportedly settling down for afternoon tea at around 5pm, wherever in the world they might be. However, it’s the way the Queen takes her scones that might prove shocking to her subjects—jam first or cream first has long been a fiercely debated topic. 

• A former royal chef, Darren McGrady, has revealed just how the Queen eats her scones—and it might surprise a few people
• Darren, who worked for the royals for over 15 years, confirmed that Her Majesty likes to eat her scones the traditional Cornish way, which means the jam goes on first, before the cream
• In other royal news, Kate Middleton to replace Prince Harry 'imminently' in royal patronage

Many wonder what the Queen eats and although we know the Queen has some strict likes and dislikes little is known about the minutiae of her diet. However, now it's known how she takes her scones, there may be an uproar from her subjects.

Scones. Though they may not seem it, they hold great power over Brits.

Scones provoke fierce debate and discussion across the nation, as people argue over how the word is actually pronounced—some opt for scone to rhyme with gone, others to rhyme with cone—and then further arguments arise as to how they should actually be eaten.

Traditionally, scones are served with cream and jam.

However, there isn’t much agreement on which one gets spread on the scone first.

The traditional Cornish method would involve putting the jam on first, adding the cream atop the jam.

The Devonshire way of doing things reverses that—cream first, then jam.

For the Queen, she’s sided with the people of Cornwall.

Darren, who worked as a royal chef for 15 years after receiving his formal training at prestigious London hotel, The Savoy, has said of the Queen’s afternoon tea habits: “She’d always have afternoon tea wherever she was in the world. We’d flown out to Australia and were on the Royal Yacht. It was 5am but for the Queen, it was 5pm so my first job was making scones.”

As for the rest of Her Majesty’s Afternoon Tea habits? Another former royal chef, Owen Hodgson, previously told the Telegraph that the Queen’s favourite sandwich was tuna mayonnaise.

She likes her sandwich well buttered and served with thin slices of cucumber, and a sprinkle of pepper.

So, the next time you serve an Afternoon Tea,  will you try doing it the Queen's way?