The Green Room, Washington, D.C.
A King Came for Tea, So I Served It the Donny Way
When a real king comes for tea, you don't serve it the old-fashioned way. You serve it over ice, in gold, with a straw.
The King of England came to America this spring, on his first state visit here as king. Big occasion. Trumpets, a ceremony on the lawn, and then tea. I was in charge of the tea. Here’s how it went.
The Tea
The British have made tea the same way for hundreds of years. Hot water. Leaves. A tiny cup. I thought: this is a king. A king deserves better.
So I served it the Donny way. A gold cup. A lot of ice. A straw, also gold. Two sugars, or eight.
The King looked at his cup for a long time. I think he was moved. Or he was looking for the tea under the ice. Either way, a historic moment for tea.
The Room
We had tea in the Green Room. Nice room, but it isn’t green enough to be called the Green Room. So I’ve ordered it painted gold. The Gold Room. Much more royal. He’ll notice next time.
The Gift
I gave him a signed photo of me holding a teacup, for his palace. He has a lot of walls. I wanted to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the King drink the iced tea?
I believe he admired it deeply. Admiring is a kind of drinking, for kings.
Did you bow?
I nodded. Very regally. Some say it was the most royal nod of the day.