According to legend, one of Queen Victoria’s (1819-1901) ladies-in-waiting, Anna Maria Stanhope (1783-1857), known as the Duchess of Bedford, is credited as the creator of afternoon teatime. Because the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess suffered from a “sinking feeling” at about four o’clock in the afternoon.

At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea a few breadstuffs. Adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional meal at five o’clock in her room at Belvoir Castle. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and of course, tea.

This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for “tea and walking in the fields.”

The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses.