A butler in a morning coat waiting quietly in the corridor of the Manor

The Footman — Programme I

A Butler's Deportment

Even in the moments of doing nothing, consideration shows.

Queen's Butler — Definition

About A Butler's Deportment

A butler's deportment is the conduct by which consideration for the master is expressed in the everyday movements of standing, walking, waiting and attending. Rather than adding conspicuous gestures, it composes posture, gaze, the position of the hands and the placing of the feet, creating a stillness from which one can move the instant it is required.

The bearing of a butler begins with a quiet stance and settled handsA Quiet Beginning

First Posture

The first thing to settle is not the back, but the breath

A quiet posture is not a matter of stiffening the body. First comes releasing the shoulders, keeping the breath flowing and finding the position in which the lines of the attire fall naturally. The butler observes you from the front and the side, and explains in words and by example the position in which chin, shoulders and hands appear at rest.

The basis of deportment is readiness: not intruding on the master's time, yet able to move the moment you are called upon. Standing beside the butler before a mirror makes it easier to see where tension gathers and where the gaze wavers. Rather than imposing a correct form, we work towards a natural stance that can be held for a long while.

Once the morning coat is on, the collar, waistcoat and the fall of the tails become part of the posture. As the butler adjusts the attire, he checks ease of movement as well as appearance. Those wearing one for the first time need not hurry into shape.

In the Dining Room, five apprentices of varied ages and both sexes in morning coats practise bowing after the butler

Practice Flow

Standing, walking and waiting, confirmed in this order

In the Study, a butler demonstrates to a female apprentice in her fifties the posture for writing a letter with a fountain pen

Set the lines of the attire

The butler looks over collar, shoulders and hem, confirming that the arms move freely.

Stand before the mirror

Keeping the breath flowing, settle feet, back, chin, gaze and hands in turn.

Take the first step quietly

The butler demonstrates a start in which the body does not lurch ahead and the step is not rushed.

Walk the corridor

Without watching your feet, take in the way ahead and your surroundings, keeping the tails undisturbed.

Wait before a door

Without blocking the way, in a position from which you can open or close, settle hands and gaze.

Posture

A posture that looks quiet has nine points to check

Breath	Keep it flowing; do not lock the shoulders or chest
Back	Do not over-arch; find the position where the vertical line of the attire settles
Hands	Rest them gently together in front, without fidgeting fingers
Gaze	Do not stare, yet never lose sight of the master and the movement around you
Feet	Do not lean the weight to one side, so that you can move to the next action
Expression	Not a forced smile, but a calm that makes you easy to address

Three Scenes

As the scene changes, so does the way of waiting

In the Dining Room, a female apprentice in her sixties pours tea from a silver pot with the butler's hand guiding hers

Door

At the door, read the path first

Before a door, the point is less the opening itself than reading the master's path and destination. Keep the way clear, watch the movement of attire and belongings, and step forward only when needed.

In the Dining Room, a mother and son apprentices lay silver and porcelain in the order the butler indicates

Hall

In the corridor, match the pace

Neither hurrying ahead nor leaving anyone behind, take the master's pace as your measure. At corners and beside furniture, move quietly to a position that makes the direction clear.

At the double doors, a female apprentice in her thirties practises opening the door and bowing under the butler's eye

Dining

By the table, do not hinder the hands

In the Dining Room, watch the chairs, the silver on the table and the movements of the photographer at once. Hold back while there is no reason to approach, and move when you sense a signal or a need.

The butler stands beside you and demonstrates posture and the position of the hands
Finding an unforced stance while watching the lines of the morning coat
Confirming the first step, turning and waiting within the Manor
Trying the way of waiting in each setting, such as the door and the Dining Room
Carrying a stance you like through to the commemorative photograph

What the Manor does not do

Holding a posture that strains the body
Making everyone conform to the same build or the same stance
Serving meals
Using the Manor unattended

Choose Your Focus

First-timers may begin with whatever concerns them most

In the Fireplace Room, a male apprentice in his seventies carries tea on a silver tray while a young female apprentice sits in the role of the master

Your concern	What the butler looks at	Where it is confirmed
My shoulders tense in photographs	Breath, chin, hands, the lines of the attire	Before the full-length mirror and at the commemorative photograph
I keep looking at my feet when walking	Gaze, the first step, turning	Moving along the corridor
My hands are restless when waiting	Fingertips, balance, expression	Beside the door or the table
I find the distance from others difficult	Paths, the carry of the voice, surrounding furniture	Waiting at the master's side
My first morning coat	Collar, shoulders, hem, ease of movement	Full-length check after dressing

Ease of movement varies from person to person. The butler observes you on the day and adjusts the content so that nothing is forced.

Butler's View

The butler looks at how you are before he looks at the form

A stance is not posture alone, but the state in which breath, expression and the lines of the attire read as one. When you concentrate on holding the form and your expression hardens, we release the hands, walk a little and return. On rainy days we check wet shoes and the floor; when you feel hot or cold, we look again at the attire.

Distance is not a fixed number of steps, but a measure chosen by reading the voice, the paths, the furniture and the people. Neither too close before you are called nor too far when you are needed: we confirm this at the door, in the corridor and in the Dining Room.

Pace is a speed that neither hurries the master nor loses sight of the destination. At Queen's Butler, run by the Japan Butler Association, male and female butlers are in service, and the butler in charge moves first to show the example. If you have concerns about your shoulders, back or legs, tell us when booking and we will discuss on the day what can be done.

Read on: standing and bowing

In the Wardrobe, apprentices in their twenties, forties and sixties choose morning coats while the butler hangs a jacket

QCan I take part if I am not confident about my posture?

Yes, you are welcome. The butler checks your breathing and ease of standing and begins from an unforced position. We never stiffen the body for the sake of appearance alone.

QIs it all right if I have not learnt how to walk beforehand?

There is no need to learn the sequence before you come. The butler walks ahead and confirms each point as you move together. If unsure, simply stop and return to your stance.

QCan women take part in a morning coat?

Yes, women are welcome to apply. Attire is not decided by sex alone: we ask your height, build and shoe size and discuss it in advance. Female butlers are also in service.

QI have concerns about my legs, back or shoulders. Can I take part?

Please tell us when booking which parts are difficult to move. On the day the butler observes you and adjusts standing time and movements. Any movement that proves difficult is omitted and replaced with another.

QIf I come alone, with whom do I practise?

The butler in charge accompanies you, serving as both example and partner. There are moments before the mirror and moments walking while watching the butler, so you can proceed alone.

QCan my stance be kept in a photograph?

Yes, the experience includes a commemorative photograph. Once your posture is confirmed, tell the butler the stance and the setting you would like. Photography is also described on its own page.

Hands and Turns

With the resting of the hands and the turn, the stance is never broken

Resting the hands is not clasping the fingers tightly to stop all movement, but a calm readiness from which you can pass to the next duty. The butler rests one hand over the other before the body, finding a position in which the fingertips do not appear scattered.

Spread the elbows and the lines of the morning coat flare outward; place the hands too high and the chest appears cramped. So we watch the whole figure in the mirror and check the flow from shoulder to fingertip. Reaching for a door, receiving an item, indicating the way: each begins the moment the hands part.

When the duty is done, do not snap the hands back; settle the body's direction first, then return them quietly to their place.

See the whole day's conduct

In the Wardrobe, the butler adjusts the collar and white gloves of a male apprentice in his fifties while a young female apprentice waits holding a top hat

About the attire

Sizes and styles are limited. Before booking, please tell us your height and usual clothing size
Please ask about sizes other than those listed

Next: the angle and pause of the bow

Keeping your stance, confirm the movement that conveys respect.

The full morning coat

Coat, waistcoat, shirt, shoes and white gloves.

Photographing a morning coat in the Manor

Keep your stance in a photograph

The commemorative photograph taken by the butler, and the way through to the photography space.

Reservation

Before the mirror, let us settle your first stance

Please tell us your height, build and shoe size, your preferred date and time, and any concerns about movement when booking. The butler will arrange the day and await you.

Enquiries & Reservations Apprentice Butler Experience fees