Builder reveals the Queen made him a cup of tea at Buckingham Palace …but he didn’t realise it was her
A BUILDER was surprised by Her Majesty’s Secret Service — when she made him a cuppa.
The workman was dismantling a desk and was out of view when a well-spoken woman asked him if he fancied a brew at Buckingham Palace.
He replied: “Yeah. In a mug. Two sugars. Builders’ tea. I don’t want any of that nonsense I had the last time I was here, all that fine china and all that saucer stuff.”
The woman returned and said: “I’ve put your tea on the table here.”
He looked up and saw the Queen leaving the room.
The Queen Mum’s royal upholsterer, Kevin Andrews, recounts his pal’s story in Channel 5’s Secrets of the Royal Palaces expected to air soon.
The documentary also reveals that Buckingham Palace once had its own bar but it was shut down after staff got too drunk.
SECRET PALACE BAR
Dickie Arbiter, who worked as a royal press secretary, said: “They had to get rid.”
Her Majesty, 93, is known to enjoy a tipple, and her favourite drink of choice is a gin and Dubbonet, according to her former chef Darren McGrady.
He said the Queen doesn’t drink every day, and added: “Just in the evening.
"She certainly doesn't drink four glasses a day."
The former chef added that if the Queen does have a drink with dinner it is usually a glass of her favourite German sweet wine.
The Channel 5 show, which is out later this month, also claims the royal has an ATM machine installed in one of her many rooms.
Despite having the facility in her home, it is unknown if the Queen has ever used the device.
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The first episode in the series will explore Buckingham Palace, before giving a glimpse inside the other royal residencies, including Windsor Castle, Balmoral and Clarence House, where her son Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla live.
Buckingham Palace boasts 775 rooms, over 50 bedrooms and nearly 80 bathrooms.
There is also said to be a staff Post Office on site, and a doctor's surgery as well as a swimming pool.
