The Prince of Wales has confirmed that he follows the late Queen Elizabeth II's tradition of applying clotted cream before jam on scones, a practice associated with Devon. Speaking during a live broadcast on Heart FM’s breakfast show from the Isles of Scilly, Prince William addressed the long-standing regional debate over the correct order of these toppings. When asked whether the proper method was the Devon or Cornish style, the Prince said he learned from his grandmother to spread cream first and then jam, though he noted both approaches “taste delicious.”

The Isles of Scilly, part of the Duchy of Cornwall since the 14th century, were the focus of the Prince’s visit, during which he discussed family life, local initiatives, and his personal interests including his support for Aston Villa’s recent Europa League success. He shared anecdotes about the challenges of the family’s morning routine, mentioning that Prince Louis, age eight, often leaves jam smudges in the car. The Prince characterized these daily tasks as comparable to those faced by many families, highlighting the juggling act required to get his children ready and out the door.

In conversation about music, Prince William revealed that Princess Charlotte is an avid fan of Taylor Swift, as is Prince Louis, prompting him to include Swift’s songs in his playlist for the children. The Prince also cited a variety of tracks he enjoys to boost motivation, including Candi Staton’s “You Got the Love” and Raye’s “Where Is My Husband!”—the latter he joked mirrors the Princess of Wales’ frequent question.

During the visit, Prince William outlined plans to enhance services on the Isles of Scilly through the Duchy of Cornwall, which is investing more than £11 million in the construction of 30 affordable, eco-friendly homes aimed at key workers such as teachers, firefighters, and nurses. Additionally, the Duchy intends to redevelop a former school building in Hugh Town into 12 social rental properties.

The Prince praised the island community’s adaptability, describing how residents often take on multiple roles to sustain local services. He highlighted recent improvements in healthcare, including the introduction of maternity services and expanded social care, as part of broader efforts to address social and environmental needs in the region.

These developments are integral to the Prince’s new Duchy strategy, which involves selling approximately one-fifth of the Duchy’s 54,000-hectare estate to finance a £500 million investment focused on core areas such as the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, and Dartmoor. This approach aims to support communities facing significant social and environmental challenges while maintaining the Duchy’s commitment to sustainable development.