Debrett's

22/10/2025

Weddings are evolving - a reflection of how society itself is becoming less bound by convention.

In our latest blog, Liz Wyse explores these shifts and shares how the Debrett’s Wedding Guide can help couples navigate today’s world of choice and individuality.

Read more here: https://debretts.com/modern-wedding-traditions-how-todays-couples-are-redefining-the-rules/

Weddings are changing, reflecting the ways in which society is becoming less convention-bound, and much more relaxed and culturally eclectic. For generations,

21/10/2025

The updated Debrett’s Wedding Guide takes you through every stage of a traditional British wedding from time-honoured customs and cherished rituals to advice on how to navigate more modern dilemmas such as:

Should children be allowed at weddings?
How much say do parents have over the guest list?
How can divorced parents be accommodated?

These themes are only the beginning of what we explore on the journey down the aisle.

Pre-order your copy of Debrett’s Wedding Guide now at debretts.com/store, or follow the link in our bio.

17/10/2025

Royal Ascot in June is widely renowned for its fashion, glamour and royal patronage.

This weekend, however, Ascot hosts the Champions Cup, marking the end of the flat racing season.

The Champions Cup showcases the finest horses of the season and offers the largest prize pots in British horse racing.

The dress code remains just as refined; smart attire is expected, and shirts may well be lost (metaphorically speaking!).

10/10/2025

Cheltenham Literature Festival opens today, and there are two events that we at Debrett's are particularly excited to see:

Dress Codes: Exploring the conventions of royal clothing, the powerful impact of fashion and the evolution of dress codes over time.

https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/events/dress-codes

The Changing Aristocracy: A discussion on the the aristocracy's relevance, adaptation and survival.

https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/events/the-changing-aristocracy

If you're heading to Cheltenham over the next week, please let us know which events you are most excited for.

09/10/2025

Dates For Your Diary - October.

Debrett's have collated a collection of must-know events for your diary this coming month.

If you are planning on attending any, let us know in the comments.

07/10/2025

Save The Date - November 1st 2025.

Debrett's comprehensive expansion, revision and update of the essential Wedding Handbook is being released 1st November 2025.

The new, stylishly illustrated Guide reflects on the many changes in British Weddings over the last ten years.

Advanced orders placed before 1st November 2025 will receive a discounted price of £25. Pre-order on our website now at www.debretts.com/store/

03/10/2025

Debrett's is delighted to offer our congratulations to The Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE on her nomination as Archbishop-elect of Canterbury.

As the 106th Archbishop since the establishment of the Diocese in 597, she is the first woman to serve in that office.

📷 Image: Interestmedia, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

03/10/2025

Debrett's is delighted to offer our congratulations to The Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE on her nomination as Archbishop-elect of Canterbury.

As the 106th Archbishop since the establishment of the Diocese in 597, she is the first woman to serve in that office.

📷 Image: Interestmedia, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

04/06/2025

Do you still write thank you letters? Do you make sure your children write thank yous after Christmas and birthdays? Liz Wyse, editor of Debrett's Handbook, A-Z of Modern Manners and Guide for the Modern Gentleman (all available from our online store) spoke to The Telegraph about how to write the perfect thank you letter (link in comments).

02/06/2025

The British are well known for their circumlocution, the roundabout ways in which they avoid saying anything uncomfortable and instead skirt around the edges of confrontation, criticism or disagreement.

However, we all know that many of these phrases should be heard or read in context and acknowledge that they are often passive aggressive, using soft words to mask feelings of anger and frustration.

Simple words/phrases like “I think” or “maybe” are universally used to indicate polite tentativeness rather than brutal certainty, while “Would you mind?” is used to preface many an unpopular request (and of course is never to be interpreted literally).

We take a look at Britain’s favourite ‘polite-isms’ and offer a handy guide to what they really mean.

www.debretts.com/the-art-of-circumlocution/

23/05/2025

Do you have your copy of our Guide for the Modern Gentleman yet?

Chapter 3, At Home, provides tips on how to make a statement with furniture and interior design, as well as expert knowledge on sleepwear; books, plays and poetry to impress; and the ultimate record collection.

21/05/2025

Tea should be poured into the cup first and any milk, lemon or honey added afterwards. In Victorian times hot tea was poured straight into the cup to test the quality of the bone china. Expensive china did not crack.