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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Milica Cosic & Rebecca Russell & Milica Cosic

Oblivious builder demanded 'proper cup of tea' not realising he was talking to the Queen

Working for the Queen and the Royal family certainly has its perks.

You can marvel at the likes of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or any other of the royal residences around the country. It's truly a 'pinch me' moment!

However, there is one person who was clearly not so impressed in the surroundings he found himself in while being employed under the Monarch, report MyLondon.

A brilliant story arises during a Channel 5 documentary, Secrets of the Royal Palaces, where the Queen went entirely unnoticed by a builder at the place.

The hilariously embarrassing story comes from a former member of staff and involves a builder, the Queen and a cup of tea.

A builder was on a job in Buckingham Palace when the tea incident occurred (LightRocket via Getty Images)

Royal Upholsterer Kevin Andrews, who worked for the late Queen Mother, recalled the story vividly in the documentary.

He said: “[A] builder was dismantling a desk [...] so he could not see who was making the offer when the lady's voice asked him if he would like a cup of tea."

The builder was completely unaware it was the Queen asking the question, and replied very casually.

The builder was red-faced when he realised [stock image] (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

He reportedly answered back: "Yeah. In a mug. Two sugars. Builders' tea.

"I don't want any of that nonsense I had the last time I was here, all that fine china and all that saucer stuff."

Andrews then remembered that the Queen came back with the tea and told the builder that it was on the table before saying he “looked up [he] saw the Queen leaving the room".

The monarch's former butler Grant Harrold has spoken out several times about his time working for the Royal Family.

The Queen is known to enjoy a cup of tea (Getty Images)
She prefers Assam or Earl Grey, her former butler says (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

He often addresses British etiquette and shares an insight into the Queen's personal habits - including exactly how she takes her tea.

Speaking about the Queen's preferred brands, Grant revealed: "I am sure the Queen enjoys her Assam or her Earl Grey the traditional way, made with tea leaves in a teapot and poured into a fine bone china teacup.

"She will also use a strainer. It is also a myth that members of royalty use their pinky when drinking, I have never seen that happen once."

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