Did you know that if you add a glass of Champagne to your afternoon tea that it becomes a Royal Afternoon Tea?
Sitting down at the historic Titanic Hotel with Belfast's very own 'Afternoon Tea Expert' and author of the e-book 'A beginner's guide to afternoon tea', Eileen Donaghey ahead of the Coronation, we got some tips on etiquette for your weekend celebrations.
Afternoon tea originates from the 1840s and Anna Duchess of Bedford who experienced a "sinking feeling" in the afternoon.
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Eileen says that Anna was a lady after her own heart as she too would feel hungry in the afternoon.
"In those days, they had lunch at one o'clock and they didn't have their evening meal to maybe nine o'clock at night so there was a big gap between lunch and dinner," she said.
"She asked for some tea, a scone and a small plate of treats to be sent up to her bedroom.
"That is where it started and it has obviously evolved massively into what we see today which is a much more lavish affair."
When it comes to the age old question of is it milk or tea first, Eileen tells us that it is always tea first.
"You put your tea in first and then you add the milk after. The reason we do that not only do you want to see what strength the tea is but you can't add milk in if you have put in too much so it is always tea first and that is definitely the rule."
While we often think it posh to drink our tea with our pinkie finger pointed out, Eileen tells us that it is actually considered offensive in some countries.
To hold your cup you pinch the handle with your thumb, index finger and middle finger with your ring finger and little finger resting below the handle.
The tea spoon should be left on the saucer and when it comes to stirring your cup if you add milk or sugar, your spoon should move back and forward gently and not side to side.
Eileen explained that we also shouldn't use a knife to cut scones.
"You really just want to squeeze it, and tear it apart. You wouldn't use a knife. If it is a really formal affair, you are just supposed to break off really small pieces. You definitely wouldn't put it back together and eat it like a burger!
"It is up to you if you put the cream or jam on first. I say it is personal preference but I know some people get very heated when it comes to that order.
"It is very important that your napkin goes on with the open flap facing away from you.
"You also should not have a mobile phone on the table. I know everyone wants to take pictures and I think it is nice to share but once you are finished take the phone off the table because it would be seen to be quite bad manners."
When King Charles II got married to Catherine of Braganza from Portugal in the 1660s, she brought tea as part of her dowry. Before that, tea wasn't very popular in Britain.
"In the way that you might see the Princess of Wales wearing a particular dress and it might sell out really quickly, it was the same thing with tea and tea became a real status symbol in those days.
"If we fast forward to the Coronation and King Charles III, there still is the fascination and love of the traditional afternoon tea.
"It is really seen as a big part of the culture and very iconic.
"Having a glass of Champagne is always a lovely treat at afternoon tea but remember, it is a classy affair and we don't want to see anyone being carried out of the hotel."
When it comes to the order that the tea should be eaten in, Eileen said that you always begin with the sandwiches and stay on the same course until the rest of the table are ready to move on.
"Afternoon tea is meant to be enjoyed, it is really leisurely so its not a race.
"The concept of afternoon tea started in the 1840s. As time progressed and hotels took it over around the 1860s it sort of changed things.
"In the last 10 years there has been a lot of competition with some of the bigger hotels to have the most Instagrammable afternoon tea."
Another age old question that Eileen cleared up was the pronunciation of scone.
She confirmed that it is indeed pronounced scone to rhyme with on and not scone to rhyme with bone.
"Not only am I the Afternoon Tea Expert, I also have a degree in linguistics from Queens University Belfast, so if I took anything from that course it is definitely a scone!
To find out more about Eileen's work as an Afternoon Tea Expert, check out her website or find her on Facebook and Instagram.
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