EXCLUSIVE: Etiquette expert reveals details about the high society training course Nicky Hilton's American wedding guests took ahead of her wedding to British banking heir James Rothschild 

  • Myka Meier of Beaumont Etiquette offers an $875 class called The Duchess Effect, inspired by Kate Middleton
  • Clients learn the rules of British dining, tea, dress, and conversation 
  • The etiquette coach explains that now, more than ever, it's possible for commoners to marry people with titles
  • Celebrities and aristocrats are expected to attend the nuptials at Kenginton Palace today

Nicky Hilton's wedding to James Rothschild at Kensington Palace today is one of the biggest society events of the season - so it's natural that some of their American guests would want to guard themselves against any behavioral snafus at the royal residence.

New York-based etiquette expert Myka Meier was asked by number of Nicky’s guests in order to help them prepare for the extravagant event with a series of lessons in how to make the best impression at a British high society event. Myka offers a variety of training courses, including one which is aptly-named The Duchess Effect, through which she teaches foreigners traveling to the UK how they should act in every setting, from the appropriate greeting to using your fork correctly at the dinner table.

And speaking to Daily Mail Online about the variety of services she has available for guests attending such high-profile events, Myka revealed that the motivation for many was the desire to leave a lasting – and wholly positive – impression on the more high profile attendees at the event.

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Big party: Etiquette expert Myka Meier has reportedly taught some guests attending Nicky Hilton's wedding (pictured) proper British etiquette for the occasion

Big party: Etiquette expert Myka Meier has reportedly taught some guests attending Nicky Hilton's wedding (pictured) proper British etiquette for the occasion

Fancy affair: Nicky (right) and fiance James Rothschild (left) invited many important people to their nuptials, including

Fancy affair: Nicky (right) and fiance James Rothschild (left) invited many important people to their nuptials, including

Behavior expert: Myka's company, Beaumont Etiquette, offers classes teaching people how to act while mingling with British high society

Behavior expert: Myka's company, Beaumont Etiquette, offers classes teaching people how to act while mingling with British high society

With reports suggesting that everyone from Naomi Campbell to Chelsea Clinton will be in attendance at the ceremony, it is certain to be one of the most star-studded events of the season – putting all the more pressure on Nicky’s guests to ensure they don’t cause any awkward upsets. 

Myka, who started her business in London but opened a location in New York last year, explained that it is now more plausible than ever that royals and people with titles might marry commoners.

So being prepared to present oneself in the best possible light is important - and something that she helps women do with her popular 4-hour, $875 course called The Duchess Effect. 

Having attended a prestigious finishing school in Switzerland and trained under a former member of The Royal Household of the Queen of England, Myka is qualified to teach women all the nuances of British etiquette.  

Upscale locale: The wedding is being held at Kenginton Palace in London today

Upscale locale: The wedding is being held at Kenginton Palace in London today

She's got the rules down: Myka teaches clients about table settings, as well as what constitutes acceptable dinner conversation
She's got the rules down: Myka teaches clients about table settings, as well as what constitutes acceptable dinner conversation

She's got the rules down: Myka teaches clients about table settings, as well as what constitutes acceptable dinner conversation

'British dining is the most strict form of dining globally, I think,' she said, adding that she teaches her students how to sit at the table, how to order, and how to hold a wine glass. 

'I think holding the silverware the correct way is the hardest thing for Americans,' she explains. It's not that her students come in with bad manners - but the British rules are entirely different from those observed in the US.

She said: 'Americans cut and switch hands to eat. The British don't do that. The fork is held with the prongs face-down in your left hand, always. And in high society, you would never stab anything with your fork. The British balance the food on the tip of the fork instead.'

Even the way silverware is rested on the plate to signify the end of a meal is different. In Britain, the fork and knife are placed parallel on the plate, while Americans typically cross them.

'I send them home with homework,' Myka said of her students. 'I tell them that you must practice when no one is watching.'  

Table manners: British rules of dining are different from - and much stricter than - those followed by Americans

Table manners: British rules of dining are different from - and much stricter than - those followed by Americans

Posh rules: Celebrities, as well as Brits with titles, are expected to be at the event - and some American guests have taken trouble to make sure they don't embarrass themselves

Posh rules: Celebrities, as well as Brits with titles, are expected to be at the event - and some American guests have taken trouble to make sure they don't embarrass themselves

Tea time is another tricky occasion for Americans to master, as it's not the same social event in the US as it is in England.

'There will be tea this weekend - many teas,' she said. 'And that's one thing that Americans just aren't familiar with. For us, tea is simply a drink. But [for Brits], it's an entire social aspect of the culture.'

Myka explained that the teacup handle should always be positioned at three o'clock, and one should always hold the saucer up with tea cup. And never, ever, should a person drink with a pinky up. 

'I think we learn in it Disney movies or something. People think that is actually posh. But really the pinky is never up, always down,' she said. 

Tea time: Whereas in America, tea is just a drink, in Britain it's an institution - which Nicky's guests would be loathe to mess up

Tea time: Whereas in America, tea is just a drink, in Britain it's an institution - which Nicky's guests would be loathe to mess up

Not all of Myka's lessons revolve around eating and drinking, however. She also teaches clients how to walk down a staircase gracefully, dress appropriately, have good posture, and communicate effectively.

'In Britain, it's a bit more conservative in terms of what is talked about in dinner conversation,' she said. 'There are topics of conversation that are fine in America but you wouldn't bring up at a society event in London.' 

For example, when complimenting another woman on something she is wearing, 'you'd never ask where it's from or how much it costs'.

You also wouldn't walk up to someone with a title and introduce yourself, she explained, adding: 'There are different ways you would address certain people.'

Getting those interpersonal relations right is especially important for single women, Myka said, as weddings are 'notorious for matchmaking'. 

Following her lead: The Duchess Effect course was inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton (pictured)

Following her lead: The Duchess Effect course was inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton (pictured)

High aspirations: Myka said that some of her clients see that a commoner like Kate could marry a future king - so why not them?

High aspirations: Myka said that some of her clients see that a commoner like Kate could marry a future king - so why not them?

'About 75 per cent of women who come to take my course have seen how the Duchess of Cambridge was a middle class woman who married into the royal family,' she went on. 

'For the first time ever, we actually have hope of marrying into the royal family. So being at a place where you can meet a royal guest - people come to me with the understanding when they are meeting royals that anything is possible.'

Another concern of Myka's clients is presenting oneself well for the cameras. Besides teaching them how to get in and out of cars and taxis without flashing people - including paparazzi who might be waiting - she also shows them how to walk and pose on a red carpet. 

For an additional fee, she will even hire photographers to take pictures, in order to show clients their best angles.

There will undoubtedly be paparazzi angling to capture photos of Nicky and James' guests tonight - and they've already snapped pictures of the bride herself. Nicky's sister Paris Hilton has also been photographed in her bridesmaid's dress.

The paps are there: Nicky's older sister Paris Hilton (pictured) has already been photographed leaving for the ceremony

The paps are there: Nicky's older sister Paris Hilton (pictured) has already been photographed leaving for the ceremony

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