The time-honored debate over how to properly enjoy a cream tea has once again been stirred, with each side standing firm in their traditions.
Prince William recently added fuel to this ongoing discussion by revealing that his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, favored the Devonian method of preparing scones—spreading cream first and then adding jam. This contrasts with the Cornish tradition, which dictates the reverse order.
The revelation was made rather curiously during Prince William’s visit to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in his capacity as Duke of Cornwall. It is poised to spark renewed conversation, especially since many believed that the Queen preferred the Cornish method.
Her former chef had previously claimed that the Cornish style was favored, and it was the way scones were traditionally served at Buckingham Palace garden parties, without any objections from the Queen herself.
During an interview on Heart FM’s breakfast show, Prince William was offered scones and asked about his preference.
He responded with a touch of humor, saying, “I love that I’m the authority on the scones. I can only tell you what I learned from my grandmother, and she would definitely, she would have the cream on first.”
But he added, diplomatically: ‘It tastes delicious either way.’ While the origins of the rivalry are debatable, Cornish aficionados believe their own clotted cream should be the crowning glory of the sweet treat, while devoted Devonians believe the cream acts as butter to stop the jam sliding off.
The prince also told the show, which was broadcast live from St Mary in the Isles of Scilly, of his pride at the way in which his wife has come through her cancer battle, describing her as an ‘amazing mum and wife’.
Prince William waded into the scone debate while appearing on Heart radio’s breakfast programme
The Duke of Cornwall said his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, preferred her scones the ‘Devonian way’, with cream first then jam
He revealed Catherine came back ‘buzzing’ from her recent work trip to Italy, the first solo foreign visit she has undertaken for four years since she was diagnosed and underwent treatment.
‘She’s an amazing mum and an amazing wife, and literally our family couldn’t cope without her so she’s been absolutely stunning,’ he said.
William, 43, also spoke of the ‘chaos’ of school runs with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as their elder brother, Prince George, is already boarding at school in Berkshire.
Louis, in particular, has a habit of leaving fingerprints from his jam sandwiches in the car.
Speaking to his family on show, he said: ‘Charlotte and Louis, because George is boarding, Charlotte and Louis if you’re listening, make sure you’re on time please, make sure you’re not fighting over who listens to what, this morning.’
He also waxed lyrical about the Isles of Scilly, where he would frequently holiday with his parents as a young boy.
Speaking about their family holidays, he described it as a ‘place like no other. It’s kind of a different world down here, it’s beautiful’.
He now holidays on Tresco, another of the islands in the archipelago 28 miles from the coast of Cornwall, with his own family.
On Friday William took a trip on the island’s new pilot boat and was left in stitches by a cheeky care home resident.
Dot Elvin, 94, asked him ‘are you coming to stay?’ before interjecting ‘I don’t care,’ when the prince pointed out there was only one bed.
