High tea in time for Kate and Will's visit

With the Royals in town it's a perfect time to take afternoon tea - and no need to leave baby George at home, as hotels are more child-friendly than ever.

High Tea at Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast.

With the Royals in town a number of hotels across Australia are hosting royal-themed teas. (AAP)

Polish the pearls, pop the plum in your mouth and put on your best manners - it's time to take afternoon tea.

In celebration of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit, a number of hotels across Australia are hosting royal-themed teas.

These days you don't need to be a grown-up to enjoy the elegance and tradition of afternoon tea.

Increasingly hotels are catering to a much younger clientele - so no need to leave baby George with supernanny.

The Langham in Sydney has a Royal Tiffin Tea for adults that includes a champagne toast and a deliciously decadent assortment of savoury and sweet items.

"The inspiration for this came from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's favourite foods," says waiter Mauricio, as I take my seat alongside my four- and two-year-old inside the five-star hotel in the historic Rocks district.

William's fondness for roast chicken and cottage pies has been translated into a chicken and leek pie, Mauricio explains.

Kate's keenness for salmon inspired the smoked-salmon finger sandwiches, he adds.

The Langham's executive chef, Anthony Craven, has also tipped his toque to the couple's guilty pleasures.

Kate's favourite dessert - sticky-date pudding - has been given a French twist, reinvented as a sticky-date macaron.

Will's keenness for banoffee pie was Craven's muse for the banoffee tart, presented on Langham Rose china that's been custom-made for the hotel by Wedgwood.

The Langham also offers a Prince and Princess Tiffin Tea (for good little boys and girls) - and keeps them occupied with colouring pencils, paper, flags and child-friendly music.

"Fit for royalty, no detail has been overlooked," says Mauricio, as he places the childrens' three-tiered stand in front of their wide eyes.

Little one feast on crown-shaped fairy bread, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, vanilla cupcakes and raspberry jelly cups, "matched" with hot chocolate and lemonade.

"Apparently William and Harry loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as kids," Mauricio says.

So too, it seems, do my little princesses.

With the Easter holiday season in full swing, here are some of the most creative and fun hotel teas where you can take the kids:

The Langham, Sydney

Drawing upon its British heritage, The Langham offers two royal-themed Tiffin Teas. One, the Royal Tiffin Tea, is perfect for adults, while the Prince & Princess Tiffin Tea arrives just in time for the school holidays.

Price: Royal Tiffin Tea $49 on weekdays, $59 on weekends, Prince & Princess Tiffin Tea $30 (until April 25)

More: langhamhotels.com

The Victoria Room, Sydney

On Saturdays and Sundays the ladies and gentlemen of Darlinghurst and their little ones gather for a nibble and a tipple at the elegant Victoria Room.

How much: Classic High Tea $45, Children's High Tea $30 (5-13 years)

More: thevictoriaroom.com

Sir Stamford, Sydney

This hotel serves an indulgent afternoon tea for children consisting of fluffy home-made scone, mini desserts and traditional finger sandwiches, served with a glass of juice or hot chocolate.

How much: Elegance High Tea $65, Traditional High Tea $49, Children's High Tea $32 (5-12 years)

More: stamford.com.au

The Carrington, Blue Mountains

On Sundays The Carrington turns on its grand high tea, which includes a fine selection of finger sandwiches, mouth-watering cakes, scones with jam and cream, tea and coffee. A pianist plays soothing sounds while you sip and nibble.

How much: Grand High Tea $37, Children's High Tea $18 (under 12 years)

More: thecarrington.com.au

Bygone Beauty's Tearooms, Blue Mountains

These unusual tearooms in Leura must have one of the largest collections of teapots in the region. The afternoon tea is brought out on a trolley by a waiter in tails and a top hat. Although it does not have a specific children's menu, the venue is child-friendly.

How much: Traditional Tea for Two $69.50, additional guests $27.50

More: bygonebeautys.com.au

Stamford Plaza, Brisbane

The Stamford is a popular place for high tea in Brisbane. For the kids, this classy hotel serves a Mad Hatter's High Tea during the Easter school holidays. Think white chocolate rabbits, Queen of Hearts jam tarts, "Eat me" cupcakes, "Drink me" cherry-flavoured shots and fairy floss brulee.

How much: Mad Hatter's High Tea adult $55, children $30 (5-12 years) available until April 21

More: stamford.com.au

Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast

Luxury hotel Palazzo Versace does a sensational afternoon tea served in Le Jardin lobby bar. The Little Royal Tea for kids includes caramel popcorn, fruit jelly with a chocolate frog, cupcakes with Smarties, fairy bread, mini pizzas and mango and banana smoothies. Each child also receives a colouring book and crayons.

How much: High teas for adults cost $48-$130, the Little Royal Tea $25 (4-12 years)

More: palazzoversace.com.au

The Langham, Melbourne

The Langham serves a Wiggles-inspired high tea, featuring Dorothy Dinosaur cupcakes, red-car cookie toffee apples, banana muffins and hot potato curly fries paired with keyboard sandwiches and fluffy scones. Served with apple juice or hot chocolate.

How much: The Wiggles High Tea is $54 per adult; $30 per child

More: melbarestaurant.com.au

Stamford Plaza, Melbourne

Children are welcome at the Stamford Plaza Melbourne's traditional English afternoon tea.

How much: High Tea $49 per person or $59 per person with a glass of champagne, children $25 (5-12 years), under-four free

More: stamford.com.au

AFTERNOON TEAS FOR GROWN-UPS:

The Hotel Windsor, Melbourne

The Hotel Windsor has been serving a three-tiered cake stand of dainties since 1883.

How much: Afternoon tea $69 a person on weekdays, $89 a person on weekends

More: thehotelwindsor.com.au

The Tea Room, Queen Victoria Building, Sydney

Afternoon tea here is served on authentic British three-tiered silver stands with Royal Albert china. Located in what was once the original grand ballroom of Sydney's landmark Queen Victoria Building, this has to be one of the most beautiful places to have afternoon tea in Sydney.

How much: Traditional afternoon tea $40 a person on weekdays, $44 a person weekends

More: thetearoom.com.au

The Tea Room, Gunners' Barracks, Sydney

This charming venue, with its magnificent view of Sydney Harbour, is run by the same team that created the sophisticated QVB tea room.

How much: Traditional afternoon tea $40 a person on weekdays. $44 a person weekends

More: thetearoom.com.au

Parliament House, Brisbane

On the first Friday of the month, a high tea is served in the Stranger's Dining Room at Queensland Parliament House. The selection of delicacies is prepared by the Parliament's resident chefs. There are also five specially themed high teas during the year, such as the Easter high tea, Mother's Day tea and Queen's Birthday tea. High tea here comes with a tour of Parliament House.

How much: Traditional high tea $41, special high tea $47 a person

More: parliament.qld.gov.au, click on "visitors"


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