Find out about Lindsay Steele, who has become the first person in the UK to obtain an NVQ Diploma in Butlering.
Self-study activity:
Watch this two-minute video and answer the questions about it.
The activity is suitable for intermediate students.
1 How many people will be attending the luncheon honour of the Lebanese president?
2 Which word is used as a synonym of butlers?
3 Which two events did Lindsay have to deal with in the same week?
4 What has Lindsay been a pioneer of?
5 What five qualities she mentions are necessary to be a good butler? (You may need to stop the video to note them down.)
6 When and where will students be able to obtain the diploma to become a butler?
You can check your answers by reading the transcript below.
The Duke of York is due to host a luncheon honour of the Lebanese president. A table is being set for 27 guests in the State Dining Room at Buckingham Palace and everything has to be perfect.
I’m just… doing a final check of the table and everything, all the plates are straight and in line, make sure that the napkins are folded correctly, there's no cutlery missing.
Lindsay Steel has been a footman or butler here for two years. It is her dream job.
When I first started I was definitely a little star-struck, I tried not to show it but it's just natural, you can’t help it, but now I am, I think I can handle it pretty professionally. Lately we had a Mexican state visit where I had to look after it directly, they were very pleasant, very nice people, but during that week we also had the G20 summit, where they all had state in one reception, it was quite [an] intense week.
At 27 and female she's a long way from the stereotype of Jeeves the butler. She is the modern face of the profession and has a certificate to prove it. Lindsay has just become the first person in the country to pass her butler's diploma, a nationally recognised qualification that was designed by her boss at the Palace.
What does it take to be a good butler?
It takes dedication, passion to just provide a good standard of service, no matter who you're serving, organization skills, discretion and good communication skills, all those things.
Not everyone can train within the grand corridors and staterooms of Buckingham Palace but they can now learn what it takes as this course brings royal standards to the masses. From September the diploma will be available nationwide, and students will become adept at coordinating travel plans as they will at setting a tea tray. The aim is to nurture a new generation of elite butlers who provide service fit for a queen.
