Prince William shares unseen side of the late Queen – and reveals she inspired his ‘love of teatime’
he Prince of Wales has shared cherished memories of his grandmother, the late Queen, revealing how she inspired his ‘love of teatime’.
William recorded his personal recollections for the digital memorial in honour of Elizabeth II.
The prince, in his own contribution to the digital archive, recalled spending ‘many a quiet afternoon’ with the Queen and the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle.
That’s where his grandmother felt ‘completely at ease’ – surrounded by her family, dogs and horses, he said.
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William described how Queen Elizabeth would ride her horses in Windsor Great Park, even in her later years, showing a ‘side of Granny the world didn’t often see – off duty, relaxed and utterly at home’.
The prince, who recorded the video at the castle, said: ‘Whilst I had the privilege to know the late Queen better than most, some of my fondest memories of my grandmother are from here in Windsor.
‘I remember many a quiet afternoon having tea with her and my grandfather at the castle, chatting, sharing stories and seeing how completely at ease she was here, surrounded by family and her much-loved dogs and horses.
‘To this day, she’s given me a love of teatime that I never knew I needed.
Prince William recorded his personal recollections for the digital memorial in honour of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William sharing a joke on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during a flypast for the Trooping of the Colour in June 2003
A young Prince William waves on the Buckingham Palace balcony with Queen Elizabeth in 1990. Behind them, from left to right, are Princess Margaret, Prince Philip and Prince Harry
‘Watching her ride her horses in the Great Park, even well into her later years, showed a side of Granny the world didn’t often see – off duty, relaxed and utterly at home.
‘These moments with my grandmother are ones I’ll always hold dear.’
The late monarch would take afternoon tea every day at around 5pm, and it would usually consist of two types of sandwiches, as well as scones, small cakes and Earl Grey tea.
The Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial was launched on what would have been her 100th birthday in April.
The Court Circular, the official daily record of royal engagements, from throughout the Queen’s reign has also been digitised, giving a searchable record of her public appearances and duties across seven decades.
Volunteer students from Campbell College, Belfast; Greenhead College, Huddersfield; JCoSS, Hertfordshire; Kingsmead School, Enfield; Haberdashers’ Girls’ School, Elstree; Queen Elizabeth Girls’ School, Barnet; St Paul’s School, Barnes: and University College School, London, helped with the Court Circular project, using data provided by The Times.
