During a recent royal tour of Japan, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, engaged with local children at a tea party, sharing a quintessential British tradition: making scones. Her demonstration, however, inadvertently ignited a familiar debate back home regarding the proper order of jam and cream, revealing a divergence in regional preferences.
Key Takeaways
- The Duchess of Edinburgh taught Japanese children how to prepare scones at the Osaka Expo 2025.
- She demonstrated the ‘Devon way,’ applying cream before jam, which sparked a debate in Britain.
- The traditional scone debate pits the ‘Cornish way’ (jam first) against the ‘Devon way’ (cream first).
- Royal family members have varying preferences, with Queen Elizabeth II favoring jam first, while King Charles III and Prince William have shown diplomatic neutrality.
A Royal Lesson in Scones
While attending the UK Pavilion at the Osaka Expo 2025, the Duchess of Edinburgh took the opportunity to educate young attendees on the art of assembling a scone. She demonstrated the process by first cutting the scone in half, then generously applying clotted cream, followed by strawberry jam.
The Jam vs. Cream Conundrum
The Duchess’s method, while enjoyed by the children, immediately brought to the forefront the long-standing and often passionate debate in Britain: should jam or cream be applied first? This culinary question is deeply rooted in regional traditions, with Cornwall and Devon, neighboring counties in the southwest of England, each claiming their method as the authentic one.
The ‘Cornish way’ dictates that jam should be spread on the scone first, followed by cream. Conversely, the ‘Devon way’ reverses this order, with cream applied before the jam.
Royal Preferences and Traditions
Sources suggest that within the royal household, there isn’t a strict rule, and preferences can vary. Former royal chef Darren McGrady indicated that the late Queen Elizabeth II was a proponent of the Cornish method, favoring jam first. However, former royal butler Grant Harrold noted that scones served at royal events are typically prepared by the kitchen staff, often with both options available to guests.
King Charles III, while not a significant scone enthusiast, has been known to acknowledge both methods. During a visit to the Royal Cornwall Show in 2018, he playfully questioned a young boy’s cream-first scone, asking if he had it the "right way round." More recently, Catherine, Princess of Wales, stated her preference for jam first, while Prince William offered a diplomatic response, suggesting he opts for whichever condiment is closest at hand.
Diplomacy in the Face of Debate
The Duchess of Edinburgh’s demonstration in Japan highlights how even seemingly simple traditions can carry significant cultural weight and spark lively discussion. While the debate over jam and cream continues, it underscores the enduring appeal of the scone as a beloved British treat, enjoyed in various ways across the globe.
Key Takeaways
- Access Restricted, The Telegraph.
- Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh reignites scone debate over jam and cream during royal tour of Japan, Nine – Honey.