The Queen Charlotte Afternoon Tea: A taste of Bridgerton at the Lanesborough

As part of the latest seasonal series of afternoon teas at the Lanesborough Hotel, London, and in partnership with Netflix and Shonderland, their new decadent offering of sweet treats and delicate finger sandwiches brings the story of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story to life. This historical drama is a spin-off prequel to the Bridgerton series, with a focus set on Queen Charlotte’s rise to power, and is reflected in a limited-edition menu that evokes a time of elegance, finery and revelry synonymous with the Regency era it pays homage too.

Set against a luxurious backdrop of foliage, crisp white tablecloths and natural light streaming in from the domed glass atrium of Lanesborough’s beautiful dining room, we are treated to a fruity cocktail with a heady gin base, aptly named The Queen Charlotte, upon arrival. A silver tiered platter arrives shortly after with a gorgeous citrus wreath swathed around it and a huge choice of teas and coffee are on offer to pair with these indulgent treats. There’s a vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu available on request and these sandwiches have thoughtful and tasty pairings of things like grilled courgette and smoked tomato mayonnaise or chickpea, spring onion, carrot and celery, which are an attentive alternative to the more classic options of cured salmon, lemon and caper cream or coronation chicken, golden raisin and fresh coriander, that have been inspired by royal tradition and are all fresh, light and replenished if you ask.

The sweeter side of the afternoon tea has been painstakingly created by their head pastry chef Salvatore Mungiovino with a trio of colourful regal desserts. The Danbury Delight offers a bitesize mauve orb, topped with the same colour chocolate sliver that resembles a stately hat and edible pearls that reflect a love for ornate jewellery. A flowery pastel blue Lady Violet’s Buzzing Garden is a subtle creamy fruity delight with notes of elderflower that run through it, whilst a glossy blue sphere filled with rich chocolate and pistachio called King George Dreams of Venus resonates with the king’s interest in astronomy. Fluffy scones are matched with fresh clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam, and there’s also the stunning sharing dessert called His Majesty, which offers a melt-in-the-mouth citrusy mousse and a biscuit bottom, topped with an intricate sugar crown adorned with crisp iridescent pearls.

The Queen Charlotte afternoon tea is both delicious and charming, with the elegant decor of the room transporting you back in time. In the words of the queen herself, “A pairing like that, well, would certainly be most enchanting indeed” and it was.

Ezelle Alblas

For more information or to book a table at Lanesborough’s, visit their website here.