Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece Answers Our Most Burning Etiquette Questions
Royalty has some unrelatable standards of etiquette, but Marie--Chantal of Greece is also a working mother of five (she runs her children’s clothing line, Marie-Chantal, out of London) and now an author: Manners Begin at Breakfast: Modern Etiquette for Families will be published by Vendome next month, with a forward by Tory Burch. Which means Marie-Chantal is as well versed in gauche Instagram posts as she is in curtsies.
Are there situations when it’s acceptable to send a thank-you email rather than a traditional note?
I always prefer to send a handwritten note, though there have been times when I’ve emailed or even texted a thank-you. I usually do that if I’m also sending flowers, which could take a few days.
A friend with dietary restrictions brings her own food to dinner parties. It’s odd to see her hand it to the staff, but is it worse than asking her host to provide a meal that works?
With so many dietary fads, I wouldn’t be surprised to have a guest request a vegetarian or vegan option. But bringing food is acceptable only if one is quite allergic.
Are private plane Instagram posts in bad taste?
I’ve never been a fan of this phenomenon. However, I have been guilty on at least one occasion. But do it sparingly—and if you’re the guest, you must ask permission.
If you’re in a social setting with notable people, how much should you let on that you know about their lives? Is it better to reveal that you follow them on social media and know all about their travel, their dogs, and their children? Or is it better to play dumb?
It’s polite to acknowledge celebrity to a degree, and it’s all right to reveal some bit of knowledge of their lives, as long as you take cues from their body language as you go. It’s nice to be enthusiastic when you meet someone, but be careful of seeming
too eager.
People always accuse Americans of being too quick to ask what a person does for a living. At what point in a conversation is it acceptable?
It really depends on the situation, but what’s most important is that when you do ask, you sound interested once you find out. Asking the question is not rude; being dismissive or aggressive about the answer is.
And last, what’s the correct way to introduce you in a social situation?
The world has become so much more relaxed. I’m comfortable with my name just being Marie-Chantal.
This story appears in the February 2020 issue of Town & Country.
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