Earl Grey was named for the real Earl Grey, a nineteenth century prime minister of England. A Chinese dignitary sent it to him in 1830 as a token of good faith and spawned a tea drinking tradition.
Enjoyed with cakes, ham and mustard sandwiches, crème brûlée of Leicester cheese and favoured by Royalty.
Queen Elizabeth II was known to enjoy Earl Grey tea in the morning, and some say it was her favourite hot drink. She preferred her tea loose leaf, poured through a strainer into a bone china cup, with a splash of milk and no sugar. 
Source: Goodwoods