We Americans keep hearing that Kate Middleton was dumped because she's too middleclass?

Question

But then I see lots of people ehre referring to her as "posh". Which is it? Are "posh" people only from the upper classes or can you be middle class and still be "posh".

Sorry for such an ignorant question from an American.

Thanks for the answer. Another thing I'm confused about is the class system- I have heard that you're supposed to come from an "old" (titled?) family to be considered "upperclass". Are "newly rich" people (i.e., celebrities, business tycoons) also considered to belong to the upper classes?

Answer 1

It's not an ignorant question. Many Brits find the topic of your question confusing and, to be perfectly truthful, incredibly boring, too, except for the ardent few who are Royalty watchers.

Sticking your little finger out when drinking your tea (from a delicate china cup, of course), and wearing a Barbour jacket (with a few strategically positioned rips, naturally) when wandering around the countryside, does not a 'posh' person make.

Anyway, to be called 'posh' is really a bit of an insult, since it implies that you are acting 'above your station, old boy'. Most of what Americans would see as typical British 'posh' types are probably 'old money' families with land and property, but not necessarily titled, or 'nouveau riche' through trade (how vulgar!) who are aspiring to be part of the upper echelons of society, or they are the so-called aristocrats, with titles, but not always particularly wealthy. Many of these people are no different in behaviour and attitude from any other reasonably brought up, civililised Brit. Even the Queen keeps her breakfast cereals in Tupperware boxes!

So you can see it is rather difficult to be accurate in describing 'posh'!

Regarding Kate Middleton... she is from an ordinary respectable family, she went to a good university and is a dignified, personable and attractive young woman. I suspect the break up was more to do with William's desire to 'play the field ' (and why not? he's only in his early 20's), than any failing on Miss Middleton's part.

PS I'm sure you already know, but 'posh' comes from the intitials of 'Port Out, Starboard Home' referring to the side of the ship one should choose for one's cabin when making the long sea journey from England to places like India in the old days - it meant the sun did not heat up the cabins too much. (Hard luck on the poorer people on the other side of the ship who presumably sweltered in the heat!). Since only the really rich could afford to reserve such cabins, 'posh' came to be associated with wealth and privilege.

Answer 2

She went to a good private school but her mother made a faux pas by saying to the Queen 'Pleased to meet you' (how dare she!). Kate could not have worse manners than Sarah Ferguson, so I doubt that was the whole reason. Celebrities and the new rich are not really posh by virtue of their celebrity status (so-called Posh Spice is definitely not posh), but in a way celebrity - tacky and vulgar as it now is - is the new aristocracy in this country. And titles are not the indicator they once were. People from all kinds of backgrounds can get titles now, presumably making them upper class even though their backgrounds are no different from yours or mine.

Answer 3

Kate Middleton wasn't DUMPED exactly. She and Prince William were having problems with the Press distributing rumours about a proposal and idiots all around the world believing those rumours, so they broke up.

It had nothing to do with class.

Put yourself in Her place and give them all a break... god, could you imagine being her and having dinner with Charles, Camilla, Harry, William and maybe the queen even, and having the paparazzi saying that there will be a proposal any day now... What an awkward moment over dinner. I don't think anyone here would like it if the press were saying all those things about them and their partner, eventually, it would get so bizarre between the 2 of you that you'd pretty much HAVE to break up.

Answer 4

Hi Kat! It's a difficult one. Essentially, the aristocracy (ie, inherited titles) are known as "old money" and are upper class. Landed families (ie. untitled families but those with inheritances that have come down the generations) are usually known as upper-middle class. The middle classes are made up of professionals etc. Manual workers and the remainder are usually known as working class. You can have all the money in the world and still be working class as the class system has nothing whatever to do with money or success. Many of the oldest families are beset with penury!

Answer 5

Avian is correct. It hard for Americans to understand the class system in the UK. It not so much about been "posh" its about breeding. Ok example here in the USA you might consider Paris Hilton posh, but she has't got breeding. Just because someone has money doesn't mean you are upperclass etc.

Answer 6

Class has nothing to do with money. Celebrities are definitely not upper class they are just clowns for the masses.
On the other hand the Queen is probably the most middle-class monarch for centuries . She has little personality and her intellectual pursuits seem to be confined to horses and dogs.

Answer 7

I heard that her parents earned a few million dollars with an Internet company. I wouldn't consider that middle class, but I guess she's still considered middle class because she didn't grow up rich.

Answer 8

posh is now the in word for coming from middle class and having dosh
like victoria beckham is posh spice when she just a middle class girl from essex

Answer 9

She's from millionaire parents (who earned it). Wealthy by our standards, poor by royal standardss (who don't earn it) and absolutely georgeous by world standards.
When was the last time that mutant family did anything right?