TEA TRADITION
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Royal tea is a premium version of afternoon tea, usually built by adding a glass of Champagne or sparkling wine to the standard sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
Unlike afternoon tea, high tea, or cream tea, royal tea isn’t a centuries-old British custom — it’s a hospitality-industry term, popularized by upscale hotels and tearooms as a way to sell an elevated, celebration-worthy version of an existing tradition. The name evokes royalty and luxury, but there’s no documented link to any specific member of the British royal family choosing this particular format; it’s closer to a marketing label than a historical practice.
That doesn’t make it any less enjoyable as an occasion. In practice, a royal tea keeps everything recognizable from a standard afternoon tea — the tiered stand, the savory-to-sweet order, the pot of tea — and simply adds sparkling wine on the side or as a pairing with each course, often served for birthdays, anniversaries, bridal showers, or other celebrations where a bit of extra polish feels warranted.
Booking or Hosting One
If you’re planning a royal tea at home rather than booking one at a hotel, the easiest approach is to build a standard afternoon tea spread and simply add a glass of something sparkling — there’s no special recipe or ceremony beyond that.
Afternoon tea plus Champagne or sparkling wine
Common for celebrations
