Families can go back in time to sample chocolate that satisfied the sweet tooth of monarchs past at Hampton Court this spring.
Guests will hunt for the Lindt Easter bunny and sample the delicious chocolate treats eaten by monarchs in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Collections curator at Historical Royal Palaces, Polly Putnam, hopes to give people a taste of how important chocolate was 300 years ago.
“Chocolate represented generosity and magnanimity of the monarch,” said Ms Putnam.
“It showed their social standing.”
Running until April 15 families will be on a quest to hunt for the gold bunny and meet Thomas Tosier, George I’s private chocolatier, who will share his tricks of the chocolate trade.
Visitors will also be given the chance to taste and make their own delicious chocolate drink, similar to what Queen Anne drank – buying two pints of chocolate a day to satisfy her sweet tooth.
Ms Putnam said: “It tasted luxurious, in a world where it was rare, it lent itself to the pageantry.”
When consuming the chocolate drink, the monarch would be presented with a silver cup lined with gold, where it would then be poured into a porcelain mug.
Children visiting Hampton Court throughout the Easter holidays will be able to design their own ceramic chocolate cup to take home.
They could even meet Princess Caroline and find out what her favourite sweet treat is.
Ms Putman added: “Chocolate is still given to people as a gift.”
“It is still considered a treat.”
If only we could all have our own chocolatiers and chocolate rooms.
The Magic Garden is open from the March 30, while family activities will run from March 30 to April 15, prices are £7.70 adult, £5.80 child, £22.70 family ticket (includes up to two adults and three children).
