Prince William and Meghan Markle’s strategies slammed as Brits have their say on consuming scones
Both Prince William and Meghan Markle have professed their preference for cream first when eating a scone. But new research has revealed that the majority of Brits actually go for jam first
New research has shed light on the scone debate(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Brits have finally had their say on the great British scone debate, and it isn’t good news for Meghan Markle or Prince William.
Because new research shows that more than half of us (58%) think jam should go on first, as opposed to cream (42%). The Prince of Wales reignited the row recently when he was asked in a radio interview whether he made his scones in the Cornish or Devonian way.
He joked: “I love that I’m the authority on scones. I can only tell you what I learnt from my grandmother, and she definitely had the cream on first. Cream on first, jam on top.”
The debate was then stirred up again when, earlier this week, Meghan Markle, shared a recipe, appearing to put cream on first before adding jam.
But the nationwide study of 2,000 people, which was commissioned by Anglian Home Improvements, shows the public leaning towards jam first as part of a wide-ranging study into the nation’s biggest talking points.
Rachael Munby, Chief Marketing Officer at Anglian Home Improvements, said: “Whether it’s neighbours chatting over a cuppa on the doorstep, families disagreeing over what to call the evening meal, or the whole country taking sides on jam or cream first, these everyday debates are part of what brings communities together.
“That’s why we’ve launched Anglian’s 60 for 60 community campaign, to support the local projects, groups and spaces that help bring people together.”
The survey also found water should go in before milk when making tea (82%), shoes should come off in the house (78%), Yorkshire puddings can be eaten with any roast (78%), and Martin Lewis deserves a knighthood (60%).
Britain has also crowned chicken as the nation’s favourite roast dinner meat (36%), dinner as the correct name for the evening meal (55%) and EastEnders as the nation’s favourite soap opera (36%).
Meanwhile, ketchup just edged out brown sauce on a bacon sandwich, with 51% choosing red sauce compared with 49% backing brown.
Manchester United was also named Britain’s biggest football team, with 45% choosing United, ahead of Liverpool (21%) and Arsenal (14%).
And tikka masala (32%) took the nation’s curry crown, beating korma (24%), biryani (10%) and madras (7%).
But while the nation may be split over scones, sauces and soaps, there is one topic that still brings everyone together: moaning about the weather.
According to the research, the weather is the number one thing Brits chat about with neighbours (40%), followed by garden upkeep and plants (29%), local gossip (26%), home improvements (22%) and local news or events (22%).
The study also found that three-quarters of Brits (75%) believe a strong sense of community spirit is important in modern life, while 42% wish they had more time to be an active part of their local community.
Behavioural Psychologist Jo Hemmings said: “Community gives us something increasingly rare in modern life, a sense of familiarity, trust and shared identity.
“Small everyday interactions create emotional security and belonging. In a world where so much communication is digital, fast and often impersonal, people still crave those grounded, face-to-face moments that make them feel connected to where they live and the people around them.”
The data coincides with launch of new nationwide community campaign with a share of £60,000 available for charity and community groups to mark Anglian Home Improvements’ 60th anniversary.
With 60 prizes available, one winning community group will receive a makeover of Anglian windows and doors worth up to £24,600, helping to breathe new life into a vital local hub.
You can apply here: www.anglianhome.co.uk/60for60
