About

What does Afternoon Tea have to do with the royal family? Why do we eat scones, and which comes first—jam or clotted cream?
Tove Taalesen is an author, lecturer, and royal family expert, with a unique combination of knowledge about the royal family, customs and traditions, and firsthand experience from within the Royal Court.

And then there are all the rules. How do you actually eat a scone? Should the milk go in the cup before or after the tea? What do you do with the napkin? And is it really rude to lift your little finger?
Tove believes that etiquette shouldn’t be rigid or difficult. It’s not about knowing the most rules, but about understanding why we have them and how we can make other people feel comfortable.

Along the way, she also recounts her own journey to the Royal Palace and shares stories and experiences from her ten years at the Royal Court. The talk will cover royal history, Afternoon Tea, etiquette, and a glimpse into a world that very few have experienced from the inside.

Tove is the author of *The Queen*, *The Bodyguard*, and *Etiquette for Everyone* and is a well-known royal expert in Norwegian and international media. This fall, she is also in the spotlight with “A Royal Christmas 2026,” the Christmas magazine about the Norwegian royal family.

Welcome to Afternoon Tea with Tove Taalesen at Thon Hotel Høyers