What could be more quintessentially British than a spot of afternoon tea? It's a hallowed tradition that's taken particularly seriously at Buckingham Palace, where for more than a decade Royal Chef Mark Flanagan and his team have prepared an afternoon tea that reflects the best of this venerable tradition across the seasons, from springtime picnics to sophisticated summer garden parties and festive Christmas teas.

Royal Teas, the follow-up to A Royal Cookbook, shares Flanagan's recipes for a variety of tantalizing tea-time treats, including sweet and savory pastries,...