Royal Family's one key ritual ‘of primary importance’ they've always maintained

Queen Camilla's son Tom Parker Bowles has lifted the lid on one key tradition that continues to hold a very special in the day to day routine of the monarch and his loved ones

When it comes to the Royal Family, it’s safe to say that history and tradition are everything, with several iconic details from years gone by immortalised in the very fabric of the monarchy ranging from titles and residences through to spectacular items of jewellery and clothing. Yet nestled among the raft of historic precedents, are also a few more relatable traditions - including as it happens, the royal family ’s near religious love of afternoon tea.

Opening up about the daily pastime that has become a staple of the royal’s routine, Queen Camilla ’s son Tom Parker Bowles has lifted the lid on what exactly it entails and precisely why it is a ritual of “primary importance” to royals such as King Charles himself.

“It’s of primary importance,” Parker Bowles told PEOPLE. “It’s not just a cup of tea — it’s an entire meal. There are sandwiches, two different kinds of cake, scones, biscuits, shrimp and eggs.”

READ MORE: King Charles given adorable nickname by children of Queen Camilla's son who think he's 'wonderful'

The daily tradition remains a far cry from previous days of royal extravagance such as Henry VIII’s lavish banquets, or Edward VII’s favourite snack, which took a whopping eight hours to prepare! It also provides the perfect point for the royals to take a break amid their busy schedules and stop for a moment to recoup before their next engagement or duty.

The interesting detail is just a glimpse of what fans are likely to find in his new cookbook, Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III, which offers 100 accessible recipes adored by the late Queen Elizabeth as well as King Charles and Camilla.

“It needs to be used, battered and stained,” he told the outlet. “I hope it gives readers a taste of British royal family life over the last 180 years.” He then added: "Food is a prism through which you can see many things—history, society and economics.”

Tom, an accomplished food writer with over twenty years experience, was propelled into the spotlight at the May 2023 coronation of King Charles, and shares a close bond with both his mother and his stepfather. In fact, his own children have gone on to forge a heartwarming connection with the monarch, often referring to him as Uppa, in an affectionate nickname.

“He is such a good, nice man," Parker Bowles said. "He has his own grandchildren, obviously. The children utterly adore him. From an early age, he’s read them stories, been there, and swung them around.”