Camilla gives Kiwi tea thumbs up

Camilla tasted Zealong green tea at Caravan - a Kiwi restaurant in London. Photo / AP

The Duchess of Cornwall has given a rare New Zealand tea the thumbs up during an event to celebrate Waitangi Day.

Camilla tasted Zealong green tea at an event to mark the 175th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi at Caravan - a Kiwi restaurant in London.

The event, hosted by New Zealand High Commissioner Sir Lockwood Smith, was also a showcase of the country's food and drink.

Fabien Maisonneuve said asking a British royal to try his tea was a serious test.

"I would have thought she [Camilla] would have gone straight for the black tea but no, she opted for the green, so obviously she's a bit of a connoisseur," he said.

"She found it very palatable and smooth and said she really enjoyed it.

"She knows that green tea is good for you because it's packed with antioxidants so it's actually a healthy beverage."

Camilla, dressed in an air force blue wool suit and knee-high black suede boots, also tried a 2010 New Zealand pinot noir and some licorice.

Sir Lockwood warned the crowd, which included celebrity chef Monica Galetti, that there was only one rule for the event: no selfies.