The Elegance Newsletter - Issue 5

Olga’s Note
Dear Ladies,

Welcome to Issue 5 of The Elegance Edit — your weekly guide to body language, elegance, and timeless style. Each edition offers thoughtful insights to help you feel more poised, confident, and graceful in every part of your life.

Last week’s edition saw us explore the art of posing with grace—learning how to move from hesitation to confidence when the camera appears, and discovering the subtle techniques that transform fleeting moments into timeless portraits. This week we’ll explore the timeless grace of royal etiquette, learning how the Princess of Wales moves through the world with quiet confidence and purposeful presence.

Royal Etiquette
The Art of Royal Grace

When Catherine, Princess of Wales, steps into a room, she carries with her centuries of tradition – yet makes it appear effortlessly modern.

We study her not because she is perfect, but because she has mastered something we seek: the ability to move through the world with intention, poise, and quiet confidence.

But pause for a moment. Royal etiquette isn't reserved for those born to crowns and titles. It's about cultivating a presence that honors both yourself and those around you — whether you're attending a charity gala, an important work conference or simply meeting friends for dinner.

Royal etiquette begins long before you enter the room. It starts with the quiet preparation: choosing a dress that reflects respect for the occasion, ensuring every detail speaks to your consideration of others. When the Princess of Wales selects a coat dress for a morning engagement or a flowing gown for a state dinner, she isn't simply getting dressed – she's communicating before she even speaks.

Her message is clear: I am here. I am present. I honor this moment.

And suddenly, we understand. Royal etiquette isn't about rigid rules or antiquated traditions. It's about showing up as the most gracious, beautiful version of yourself. We have a queen inside of us, and our elegance can help us show this to the world.

Knowing the Moment: Different Occasions, Different Grace

If you played last week’s edition of The Elegance Game – you might be surprised with the answer. While at the Top Gun premiere in 2023 the Princess initially took the hand of Tom Cruise to help her up a set of stairs (C) she subtly switched her clutch to the hand he took (D), to signal that he shouldn’t attempt to take it again.

This minimal act proves that the purpose of elegance and etiquette is not to appear to be uptight or stuck in the past, but to serve yourself and your intentions. 

Just as the Princess adjusts her approach whether she's visiting a children's hospital or attending a film premiere, we understand that different moments call for different expressions of elegance.

There are distinct categories of social occasions:

State Functions - where protocol guides every gesture 
Charitable Engagements - where warmth and accessibility take precedence
Family Gatherings - where tradition meets intimacy 
Professional Settings - where competence and approachability align 
Social Celebrations - where joy and connection flourish

Each requires its own rhythm of interaction, its own language of respect.

The Most Elegant Approach? The Introduction

First – Honor the Occasion Understand what your presence represents. Are you there to celebrate? Support? Listen? Your role shapes how you move through the space, how you engage, and how you present yourself.

Second – The Language of Listening Notice how the Princess leans slightly forward when someone speaks to her. Her body language says, What you're sharing matters to me. This isn't performed, it’s a purposeful attention.

Third – Choose Your Energy Just as you might select different jewelry for different occasions, choose the energy you bring. Is this a moment for quiet dignity? Warm enthusiasm? Respectful solemnity? Your emotional presence becomes part of the gift you offer.

Fourth – The Grace of Restraint Royal etiquette often lies in what we don't do. The Princess rarely gestures dramatically, never interrupts, and maintains composure even in challenging moments. Restraint becomes its own form of elegance.

Lastly – Practice the Small Gestures A sincere "How lovely to meet you." A moment of genuine eye contact. The grace to step aside so others can be included. These micro-moments of consideration create the foundation of true royal bearing.

The Princess Effect

What we admire most about Catherine isn't her titles or her wardrobe — it's her ability to make everyone in her presence feel valued. Whether she's speaking with a head of state or a schoolchild, she brings the same quality of attention, the same genuine interest.

This is the secret of royal etiquette: it's not about following rules for their own sake, but about creating an atmosphere where others feel honored and respected.

When someone approaches you at your next gathering – whether it's a party or a work reception – you have the opportunity to channel this same gracious presence. To offer your full attention. To speak with intention. To move with quiet confidence.

Because true elegance, like true royalty, isn't about the crown you wear – it's about the grace you bring to every interaction, the dignity you offer to every moment, and the respect you show for both yourself and those around you.

An Invitation to Step Into Your Own Elegance

At Elegance Studio, we believe that grace is not merely inherited—it is cultivated with intention. That is why our beloved Glow Up Saturday has blossomed into the Elegant Weekend, a thoughtfully curated series designed to nurture every facet of your refined presence.

We begin Friday with the foundation of your entrance: a class dedicated to your Beautiful and Elegant Walk. On Saturday, we guide you through three immersive experiences—Social Etiquette & Norms, Dress Codes for Formal Occasions, and Romantic Body Language. Each class stands alone in its depth, yet together they form a rich tapestry of feminine confidence and timeless sophistication.

Whether you choose one class or embrace the full journey, you’ll step away not only with knowledge—but with poise that lingers. We would be delighted to welcome you into our circle of grace.

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NYC ELEGANCE WEEKEND

A SELECTION OF CURATED ELEGANCE CLASSES
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE, DRESS CODES, ROMANTIC BODY LANGUAGE
SATURDAY JUNE 21ST, 2025
MANHATTAN, NYC

Olga’s Tips
Elegance Tip of the week

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Olga’s Recomendations
The Magic Clutch Bag

As we always say, less is more. When Catherine appears at any engagement, she becomes a masterclass in effortless refinement - her silhouettes classic yet thoroughly modern, her accessories chosen to complement rather than compete. An article from Stylist gave some great insight into why Kate Middleton always carries a clutch bag (as did our Elegance Game) and this clutch from Emmy London is one of her favorites.

Events
Grace at the Races

And where else can you practice your newfound royal grace, if not at the most elegant gathering of the social season? Royal Ascot is the perfect stage for refined presence. Here, royal etiquette transforms from theory to lived elegance. Think of it as your finishing school in the finest sense: a gentle curtsy upon introduction, gloved hands poised as you applaud each race, that practiced smile of the Princess of Wales as you navigate the Royal Enclosure – every gesture a quiet masterpiece of consideration and poise.

17–21 June 2025

www.ascot.com/royal-ascot

For our US readers, elegance in the Hamptons at the Bridgehampton Polo Club is where American sophistication meets royal refinement. Here, the gracious manners we admire in the Princess of Wales find their perfect summer stage.

19 July 2025

www.polohamptons.com

Game
The Elegance Game

Game Day, The Elegance Way
In the following week, we will share the answer to this question. Click the answer that you think is right.