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On Monday morning, the excitement began early for Maria and Chris Naynor and their three grandchildren, who left their home in Reading at 05:30 BST to get a prime spot along the Mall - armed with cream tea and gin and tonics.

However, Mrs Malyon, who runs a cream tea company, admits her and husband Roger, 68, are "old enough to know better".

Fractious disputes about scones rage on: Do you say “skon” or “skohn”? Is it acceptable to serve fruit scones at a cream tea, or only plain ones?

Another concerns whether it is acceptable to serve fruit scones at a cream tea, or only plain ones.

“What sort of fool decides to end a fractious month at the National Trust by posting a picture of a cream tea?”