Kate Middleton was at odds with her husband Prince William when she revealed the order in which she put jam and cream on scones at an NHS tea party yesterday.
The royal couple, 41, were both guests of honor at the event held yesterday at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
The party was organized by NHS Charities Together – of which William and Kate are Patrons – and television presenter Mel Giedroyc, who previously presented the Great British Bake Off.
Ahead of the event, the royal couple arrived early to help set up the marquee outside Westminster Hospital.
After they laid out some tablecloths, William turned to Mel and asked how she prepares her scones when she has afternoon tea.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were guests of honor at the event at St Thomas’ Hospital in London yesterday
The comedian replied, “I’m going to have jam and then cream because I think jam is heavier and then the cream sets.” [better].’
Kate joined the debate, agreed, and said confidently, “I’ll do jam and then cream.”
Prince William paused for dramatic effect, stopping to look at the scone spread in front of him.
He then joked, “I’ll go with what’s closest to me!”
As Mel burst out laughing, Kate gave her husband a loving smile before laughing at his quip too.
The debate over the order in which to put your cream and jam has been raging in the UK for 1,000 years – with the Devonians favoring cream first, while the Cornish opt for jam to begin with.
In March 2018, former royal chef Darren McGrady – who worked for the late Queen for more than a decade – revealed that jam is always put on scones first at garden parties at Buckingham Palace.
Elsewhere in the video, the couple were asked to help decorate some blue cupcakes.
The royal couple arrived early at the event to help with the set up. Pictured are some blue NHS themed cupcakes glazed
William and Kate, both 41, arrived early for the NHS Big Tea party to help set the tables, finish a birthday cake and even pipe icing on cupcakes. Pictured with baker Alice Fevronia
The beautiful cake had messages and facts about the NHS, which was served in a marquee at the party
William was definitely more heavy-handed than his enthusiastic baker’s wife as he piped a generous helping of icing.
‘Is that good?’ he asked as Kate burst out laughing and put her hand over her mouth.
Alice Fevronia – who appeared on the 2019 Great British Bake Off – also joined the couple and helped make the cake.
Kate looked suitably classy in a £1,515 blue Alessandra Rich dress – which she’s previously worn at Wimbledon – teamed with a pair of earrings.
The party was attended by people who represented the incredible achievements of the NHS over the past 75 years.
After the guests arrived in the hospital’s welfare garden, the royal couple came out with a huge birthday cake gasping in amazement.
They then sat down to talk to some of the invited, including Aneira Thomas, the first baby to be born in the NHS, as well as medical research pioneers and those on the front line in tackling Covid-19 .
They also spent time with Blanche Hines, who worked as a nurse for nearly 50 years after arriving in the UK as part of the Windrush generation.
Kate looked delighted as she chatted with guests. The marquee was covered with streamers and decorations
The Princess of Wales chatted with the guests at the party. Kate wore a £1,515 blue Alessandra Rich dress
William, Kate and Mel joined several NHS staff for the event held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS
Alice Fevronia – who appeared on the 2019 Great British Bake Off – helped make the cake served
Mrs Hines inspired another two generations of her family to work for the NHS. “The things some of them have done are incredible,” the prince marveled.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to thank everyone,” the princess said.
“That’s why William and I wanted to come here to thank you, congratulate you, and wish you a happy birthday.”
The Prince and Princess concluded their visit with a video message to the entire NHS, holding up signs and saying: ‘Wishing everyone a very happy 75th birthday to the NHS. Thank you very much for everything you do.’
The Prince and Princess of Wales became Royal Patrons for NHS Charities Together in December 2020, at the height of the pandemic.
The charity’s 2020 urgent Covid-19 appeal raised more than £160 million. Since then it has distributed nearly £100 million to reach every NHS Trust in the UK.
Donations have funded thousands of projects, including staff mental health support and training and equipment for community first responders.
Mel Giedroyc said it was an ‘utter privilege’ to be involved, adding that people were ‘so delighted’ with the ‘quintessentially beautiful, British day’.