The Poshcast

On this week’s episode of The Poshcast, we tackle the dirtiest c-word of all: class. Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson react to Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson’s new initiative to tackle class inequality by launching their very own—and completely ridiculous—Class Unit for Posh People. Do you have a family tiara? Have you ever eaten fried antler fur on toast? Does your house have five ghosts, or a cadet branch grubbing about in the dirt? Listen to find out… Plus, Sophia and Cleo tackle a burning listener question from Winona in Dorset: what are the proper—and posh—words for private parts when speaking to children. From stud farm sex-education trauma to calling a spade a spade, no subject is left unexamined. 📧 Email us: theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk 📸 Instagram: @theposhcast 📊 What class are you? Try The Telegraph's class calculator: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/what-class-am-i-social-class-calculator/ Highlights: Should class be a protected status? Sophia and Cleo launch their own completely ridiculous Class Unit for posh people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a very special, pink-hued episode of The Poshcast ! This week, Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson are running wild in Hertfordshire. They've parked their bottoms on the hallowed velvet sofa of Camfield Place—home of the undisputed queen of romantic fiction, Dame Barbara Cartland. To help us unpack the intriguing, outrageous, and thoroughly exhausting paradox that is Dame Barbara, Cleo and Sophia are joined by writer Matthew Sweet, author of a new biography, The Great Dictator . Together, they dive nose-first into her eccentricities: why did she use Meltonian shoe cream instead of mascara? How did she rack up 49 proposals? And was she really as much of a prude about sex as she may have seemed? From travelling across America with a stuffed Pekingese under her arm to her legendary, claws-out television showdown with Jackie Collins, no pink feather is left unturned. And because we're obsessed with what 'the done thing' is, Sophia and Cleo leaf through Dame Barbara's vintage etiquette tips to see if they hold up in the 21st century. Get ready for some serious home truths on interior decorating, dietary fusspots, and praising your husband’s lovemaking… So hold on to your hats for a riotously funny look at the 20th century's most magnificent romantic force, the Great Dictator herself, Dame Barbara Cartland. 📧 Email us: theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk 📸 Instagram: @theposhcast The Great Dictator by Matthew Sweet is out now. To order your copy for £19.99, call 0330 173 0523 or visit Telegraph Books. 📰 Read: ‘ Women should be like pretty chocolate boxes’: The bizarre world of Barbara Cartland Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Should women ever say I love you first? The Barbara Cartland Special Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September has arrived, which means one thing for a niche cohort of the British population: it’s back to boarding school. As Prince George heads off to Eton, Sophia and Cleo dissect the bizarre world of public school education—from trunks and tuck to the ‘pash’ system and polo pitches. Plus, they discuss the eye-watering fees in 2026 and how some parents have resorted to bartering to get their little angels in the top schools. Finally, they answer the eternal question: in an age of texts and emails, is the handwritten thank you letter finally dead? Spoiler: Sophia still has them rattling around her handbag. Forget civilisation burning—we’re here to debate whether you should be writing thank you notes in the back of a limo. Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Back to (Boarding) School Is the Thank You letter dead? Chapters: 00:00 ‘At the weekend’ vs ‘On the weekend’ 05:00 Making adult friends 07:00 Sophia’s South Devon pilgrimage 10:00 Back to school 14:00 Public vs. Private: Why is it called ‘Public School’? 15:00 Boarding school memories & the ‘pash’ system 23:00 Modern boarding schools: Cushy living & pastoral care 35:30 Manners Mail: Are thank you letters dead? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not just tiaras and tafetta here - this week The Poshcast gets political. This week Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson dive into the increasingly barbaric noise levels in our public spaces. From people watching films loudly on the train to the “pestilential” behaviour of playing music without headphones, Sophia and Cleo celebrate a recent crackdown on this anti-social trend and share their tips for maintaining a little sanity in a noisy world. And, fingers on the pulse as ever, the pair discuss Liechtenstein’s decision to bin off male primogeniture and what this means for the British aristocracy (and why we’re still stuck in the Henry VIII era). Plus, the duo tackles another thorny listener dilemma: how on earth do you get dinner party guests to leave when they’ve clearly overstayed their welcome? From “loading the dishwasher” tactics to the ultimate “hostile environment” strategy, Cleo and Soph provide you with a sure-fire guide to this etiquette conundrum. Don't say we don't treat you. Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk Read: Wetherspoons bans customers from using phones on loudspeaker: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/08/18/wetherspoon-bans-customers-from-using-phones-on-loudspeaker/ Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Why do people think it’s acceptable to use their phones on loudspeaker in public? How to get dinner party guests to pleave Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget politics, war, and the crushing weight of modern existence—we’re here to tackle the questions that really matter. This week, we’ve raided the mailbag to answer the dilemmas keeping you up at night. In this episode, Sophia and Cleo navigate the perilous social etiquette of sunbathing in Sardinia, debate the tackiness of digital jewellery, and finally settle the age-old question: at what point is it “gross” to still call your parents Mummy and Daddy? Plus, Cleo and Sophia delve into culture by discussing a new mockumentary about an eccentric Lady, and decrying the insufferable bore that is the television snob. Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk Read: Is it ever appropriate to sunbathe topless with your father? - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/parenting/should-daughter-ever-sunbathe-topless-with-father/ Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:30 - Important Port Protocol Update 05:15 - Culture Corner: Reviewing the new film ‘Lady’ 09:20 - Cleo’s Mirror Disaster & A Scottish Holiday Update 14:15 - Are Owls the New Peacocks? 18:15 - Mommy & Daddy: When to draw the line? 22:15 - Is 'The Traitors' posh TV? 25:15 - Topless Sunbathing: Benidorm or European Chic? 29:15 - The Great Nail Debate: Garish or Neat? 33:15 - Are the Posh fleeing Instagram? 36:15 - The Wedding Ring Dilemma 39:15 - Rafe vs. Ralph: The Ultimate Pronunciation Guide Highlights: The Poshcast Q&A special When is too old to say ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’? And other dilemmas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August is upon us, and you know what that means: the annual migration of the upper classes to the Highlands. This week on The Poshcast, Sophia and Cleo are dusting off their tweed, ignoring the blood-sucking midges, and asking why posh people are all so obsessed with heading north to shoot things. As Cleo is loch-bound in August for the first-time, Sophia gives her top tips to decoding the Scottish summer getaway. Why does your suitcase need to contain both a tiara and a bottle of high-strength DEET? And is it possible to navigate a lodge where the bathwater is brown but the black tie is mandatory? Plus, we tackle another burning listener dilemma: is it actually possible to organise a ‘tasteful’ hen do? From the trauma of organised fun to the dreaded conversation about budgets,, we share our survival guide to the tackier side of pre-wedding celebrations. So do please, hold on to your tam o’shanters and cry freedom for the next episode of The Poshcast. Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Why posh people think Scotland is the best place to be in summer Is it actually possible to organise a ‘tasteful’ hen do? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whack out your wellies: In today’s Poshcast Cleo and Sophia delve into the muddy topic of festivals. From wet-wipe-filled endurance tests to carefully curated weekends of glamping and glitter, we’re debating whether festivals can ever truly be ‘posh.’ Sophia and Cleo share their ever so slightly tongue-in-cheek survival tips, such as packing cashmere socks and wine deliveries, the perils of the Portaloo and the importance of steering clear of mystery pad thai and spontaneous piercings. Plus they answer a burning listener question: should you ever approach a celebrity for a selfie on holiday, or is the classy option to leave them to their sun lounger? You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: The Poshcast guide to festivals Boat shoes and Bloody Marys all round! Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast 04:19 Remote Control Nicknames 08:50 Wilderness aka ‘Poshstock’ Highlights 11:59 Latitude Dust and Cool Families 13:15 Posh Festival Survival Tips 19:30 The Perils of Portaloos 20:49 Glyndebourne Picnic Opera 22:15 Festival Piercing Horror 23:57 Family Piercing Rules 26:41 Gap Year Tattoo Regret 32:21 Boarding School Piercing Craze 33:21 Celebrity Selfie Etiquette 41:13 Final Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It may have been been a scorcher yet again this week, but that’s no excuse to lose control. In today’s Poshcast Cleo and Sophia tackle the thorny issue of table manners. What matters, these days, and what doesn’t? Do we care about elbows on the table anymore, or is that a fusty old Victorian throwback? Is it deeply common to clink glasses and say ‘cheers?’ From which body part should you eat caviar, and is it ever acceptable to have your phone beside your plate? Plus they answer a question from a nervous young listener who’s off on holiday with her boyfriend’s parents for the first time and wants to make a good impression (no bawdy chipolata jokes). They may not have the answer to all Britain’s problems, but Sophia and Cleo can offer strong opinions on knives and napkins — what further encouragement do you need to watch The Poshcast? You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mbuXBuO_5sE Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk Height shouldn’t matter when it comes to matters of the heart, Sophia Money-Coutts: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/relationships/sophia-money-coutts-height-shouldnt-matter-affairs-of-heart/ Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Alex Marshall Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Phones besides plates, elbows on the table and clinking coupes The Poshcast guide to table manners Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast 01:03 Punctuality Rant 03:15 Airbnb Interior Nightmares 05:58 Height Lies on Dating Apps 09:38 Toilet Break Film Debate 11:11 Clink or Not to Clink 13:23 Champagne Glass Rules 15:08 Miffers Controversy 16:44 Napkins and Cutlery Etiquette 21:27 Bread Roll Etiquette 23:51 Asparagus and Pear Protocol 24:47 Meghan Markle and Pud Debate 27:10 Bathroom Breaks during Meals 29:19 Salt Pepper and Passing Port 32:39 Phones and Bags at Table 34:56 Napkin Rings 36:18 Holiday With Boyfriend's Family 41:31 Final Tips and Sign Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nothing gets the people of Britain more animated than man’s best friend, so this week on The Poshcast, Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson are debating which pooch can hold the title of posh top dog. Can the Jack Russell take the crown, given their association with The King and Queen? Where do shivering whippets rank on the scale, and, crucially, where to The Poshcast dogs – the esteemed Hippo and Dennis – fall on the scale? Plus, after police had to step in to control behaviour, they discuss the tradition of public school teenagers partying on the beaches of Polzeath. And Cleo and Soph reveal their most unquestionably un-posh habits. You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/knuYbqqP9tQ Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk. Video Producer: James England Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: How posh is your dog? The tradition of public school revellers causing chaos in Cornwall Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:29 A Top Dog Excuse 05:14 World Cup Rants 06:58 The Definition of 'Chichi' 08:05 Champong at The Goring 13:40 Posh Cookbooks and Castles 16:23 Engagement Roast Chicken 18:09 Jack Russells Comeback 23:13 Posh Dog League 28:43 Cornwall Teen Chaos 32:54 Poshest Activities 36:35 Unposh Habits 39:49 Sign Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planning your summer holiday? This week on The Poshcast, Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson debate the biggest summer travel etiquette questions and the unwritten rules of flying. When is it acceptable to have your first Wetherspoons pint or champagne cocktail? Should you ever take your shoes off on a plane? And is bringing a wheel of pungent French cheese in your hand luggage completely unacceptable—or surprisingly reasonable? They also ask whether the man making headlines after donating to Reform UK - convicted fraudster "Posh George" Cottrell - is actually that posh... You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AWVWNqwCPJY Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Producer: John Cadigan Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Poshcast, Sophia and Cleo tackle the minefield of matrimony. They celebrate why Brits do weddings best, while questioning the creeping influence of American imports - from the over-the-top spectacle of Taylor Swift’s recent wedding at Madison Square Garden to irritating trends like rehearsal dinners, endless speeches, and the horror of "plus ones" who are total strangers. Plus, they debate a listener’s scorching dilemma: is it acceptable to pack a portable air conditioning unit for a weekend away at a friend's place? You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RrMgiekMKGg Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Producer: Georgia Coan Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Poshcast, Sophia and Cleo don their whites to discuss Wimbledon – the soothing “thwack” soundtrack, the strawberries and cream and, of course, the slightly squiffy spectators. However, can tennis still claim to be the poshest summer ballsport? Sophia serves up the defence, despite her own lack of racquet skills, and Cleo lobs in a particularly posh tennis memory involving the Princess of Wales. Plus they debate a listener's question about asking for honeymoon donations as a wedding gift, and they finally crown the Poshcast’s taxidermied mouse mascot. You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y0UVLekCA64 Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Is tennis still the poshest summer sport? Do I have to contribute to my friends' honeymoon fund as a wedding gift? Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast 00:44 Sophia’s Sex Cruise 03:33 Wimbledon Obsession 05:09 Tennis Shame and Injuries 07:40 Caribbean Tennis with Royals 11:34 How Tennis Got Posh 15:02 Getting Into Wimbledon 18:09 Wimbledon Etiquette and Whites 20:40 Padel Takes Over 22:52 Cricket Jumpers 24:00 Golf Club Snobbery 25:03 Croquet, Boules And Holiday Games 27:36 Football: Posh or Not? 29:55 Wimbledon Crushes 31:03 Honeymoon Fund Etiquette 37:23 Naming The Taxidermy Mouse 38:57 Final Thanks Sign Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Poshcast with Cleo Watson and Sophia Money-Coutts, two Jilly Cooper characters transposed into 2026. This week Sophia and Cleo discuss how to survive this heatwave sartorially, from office shorts to avoiding sweat patches. Plus they tackle the great question of our time: is it ever ok for a man to wear an open-toed shoe? And the question from the audience this week is about the minefield of modern greetings, prompted by Prince Edward kissing the King on both cheeks at Ascot last week. Sophia delves into her copy of Debrett’s for guidance on handshakes, hugs, air kisses, and whether you can get away with more flamboyance as an Italian Duke. You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iVP6Gc7pl1Y Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk. Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Is it ever OK for a man to wear an open-toed shoe? How to greet someone: one kiss or two? Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast 03:11 Hippo and Dennis update 05:58 Listener Feedback Roast 08:49 Heatwave Dressing 17:20 Men’s Sandal Debate 25:42 Modern Greetings Etiquette 31:40 Debrett’s Social Kissing Rules 34:36 Mouse Naming Finale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ascot: posh pastime or plain naff? Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Poshcast with Cleo Watson and Sophia Money-Coutts, your favourite group-chat in podcast form. Join Sophia and Cleo as they delve into the murky world of modern social norms, class anxiety and all matters that generate furious online opinions. This week we are donning our hats ( never fascinators) to talk Ascot - how to say it, the dress-code minefield from jumpsuits to compulsory socks, and why the whole thing can feel like a pricey, performative logistical nightmare unless you’ve arrived by helicopter. Plus we’ll wade into picnic politics (Scotch eggs, leaking deli tubs and Fortnum hampers), discuss the apparently atrocious standard of Father's Day cards these days, and ask listeners to christen The Poshcast mouse-mascot with a suitably befitting title. You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CyEqqzeY6BM Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk. Ban ‘picky bits’ and pre-mixed cans: My rules for the ultimate picnic , Sophia Money-Coutts: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/13/my-rules-for-the-ultimate-picnic/ BBC Archive 1983: What’s your perfect picnic?: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZEwjeKgAgI/?igsh=aDB1OWtkaG9tMHQ3 Video Producer: James England Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Is Ascot now a little bit naff? Who is buying these crude Father's Day cards? Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast 05:42 Bath Weekend Confessions 08:47 Picnics and Picky Bits 11:03 Picnic Practicalities 15:03 Prince George School Scoop 16:27 Ascot Hats and Pronunciation 18:48 Should You Even Go 20:32 Car Park Picnic Culture 23:48 Flat vs Jump Racing 25:05 Dress Codes Explained 30:29 Listener Fathers Day Dilemma 38:08 Taxidermy Mouse Mascot 39:22 See you Next Week Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson on The Poshcast a new podcast from The Telegraph. Available every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.