Jo Steer

This seems quite natural, considering the regime of the average wealthy Victorian.

The day would begin with a large breakfast, with a light lunch served around 12 o'clock.

The evening meal might not be served until around 8 p.m., which explains why the Duchess was feeling hungry.

Her solution to this was afternoon tea, or an early precursor to the modern, more indulgent version.

It might have included cakes or pastries and a small selection of sandwiches.

any food served would have probably been dainty and elegant.

It was what today we might call finger food, because it can be eaten easily without cutlery.

The duchess found this to be the cure to her hunger, and soon enough, she had a regular habit of tea and food at around four o'clock each day.

Initially, these meals were private occasions.

They were for the Duchess alone or her closest female friends.

But one day, it's thought that she invited a famous actress named Fanny Kemble to one of her private gatherings.

According to some accounts, Kemble then began to host her own afternoon teas.

helping to popularize the concept.

In one way or another, the practice began to spread throughout aristocratic circles.

And not long after, Queen Victoria herself became fond of the ritual.

She was known to take afternoon tea on the terrace of Osborne House, her residence on the Isle of Wight.

The Victoria Sandwich Cake, also known as the Victoria Sponge, was named after her, as it was apparently one of the Queen's favorites.

It was a sweet cake sandwich of light golden sponge with a layer of strawberry jam spread in between.

Afternoon tea soon became fashionable among upper-class ladies.

When women had started drinking tea in the 17th century, in part, it was to copy Queen Catherine's example.