Tea for the Royals: Where do the Royals Get their Tea?

The entrance of Twinings' tea room at No. 216 Strand. Image from Wikimedia Commons

The Queen loves to drink tea and her day always begins with a cup or two before she takes her breakfast. Her heavy workload is also punctuated by afternoon tea, with a pot of freshly brewed Assam or Earl Grey tea (with milk but no sugar) from Twinings, the royal household’s supplier of tea for centuries.

Twinings was first granted the royal seal of approval in 1837, when Queen Victoria, fresh from succeeding to the throne, appointed Twinings as supplier of teas to her household. The merchant has since supplied tea to every reigning British monarch.

The business started when Thomas Twining, of Painswick in Gloucestershire opened Britain's first known tea room, at No. 216 Strand, London, in 1706. The tearoom has remained in the same place. Twinings also hold the distinction for having the world's oldest continually-used company logo, which was created in 1787.

Tea’s popularity has never waned. In fact, not even tea rationing during World War II has affected Twinings & Co.’s sales. It also supplied tea to the Red Cross, the Women’s Voluntary Service, and the YMCA wartime canteens.

The company’s ethical program called “Sourced with Care” aims to help communities where it sources its supplies obtain quality life. “Sourced with Care” programme, looks forward to “improve the lives of 500,000 people in its supply chain by 2020 through enhancing livelihoods, enabling life opportunities and improving living standards.”

Prince Charles, meanwhile, gets his tea from Taylors of Harrogate. This family-operated business was opened in 1886 by Charles Taylor. The heir to the throne has given his royal warrant of appointment to the Yorshire supplier in 2009. Prince Charles usually prefers businesses that show care and concern for the environment and Taylors of Harrogate is one of those. The company has maintained its commitment in supporting the local community in recycling initiatives and sustainable farming.

The next time you look for tea, you know where to go.