The Art of British Etiquette with Emma Dupont

Why isn’t Catherine called Princess Catherine? It sounds perfectly logical. She married a prince, and she is now The Princess of Wales. So why isn’t Princess Catherine her correct title? In this episode of The Art of British Etiquette, we explore the fascinating rules and traditions behind British royal titles, and explain the important distinction between being a princess, being The Princess of Wales and being entitled to put the word ‘Princess’ before your Christian name. In this episode, y...

Why do British people so rarely say exactly what they mean? British English communication is famously indirect. From understatement and polite disagreement to the many possible meanings of words such as ‘quite’ and ‘sorry’, understanding British communication often requires listening to much more than the words themselves. In this episode of The Art of British Etiquette, we explore some of the subtle habits that characterise British conversation, including why British people soften disagreeme...

Should you remove your shoes when entering someone’s home in Britain? Unlike countries such as Japan and Sweden, Britain does not traditionally have one universal rule, and the answer can reveal rather more about British culture than you might expect. In this episode of The Art of British Etiquette, Emma Dupont explores British etiquette at home, from traditional ideas of hospitality and formal dress to the subtle influence of Britain’s class system and our curious reluctance to make too much...

The British Social Season is one of those traditions that can seem rather mysterious if you did not grow up with it. What exactly is ‘The Season’? Why are Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, Henley Royal Regatta, Glyndebourne and the Chelsea Flower Show associated with it? And does The Season still matter today? In this episode of The Art of British Etiquette, Emma Dupont explores the history and traditions of the British Social Season, from its origins in London society and the presentation of debutante...

Why do British people say ‘sorry’ so much, even when they have not actually done anything wrong? In Britain, ‘sorry’ is far more than an apology. It can soften a request, attract someone’s attention, acknowledge a minor inconvenience or simply smooth over an awkward social moment. In this episode, we explore the cultural meaning behind one of the most frequently heard words in British English, and what its many uses reveal about British communication, politeness and social interaction. In thi...

British and American English may share the same language, but the rules are not always quite the same. Why might a British person say ‘may I have...?’ while an American says ‘can I get...?’ Why does ‘are you done?’ sound distinctly American to some British ears? And why do British and American writers use punctuation differently? In this episode, we explore some of the more subtle differences between British and American English, including grammar, expressions, punctuation, register and polit...

Welcome to The Art of British Etiquette with Emma Dupont. The Emma Dupont Etiquette School is an established British etiquette school based in London, specialising in British culture, British etiquette and social customs for an international audience. If you have ever wondered why the British apologise so much, what really happens during the British Social Season, or how to navigate the unwritten rules of British life with confidence, you are in the right place. Understanding British culture ...