Victoria Beckham Shares Hosting Etiquette, Former Butler Weighs In

Victoria Beckham has detailed her stringent hosting guidelines, emphasizing a strict no-paper-napkins policy and the exclusion of mobile phones from the dinner table. The former Spice Girl, now a fashion designer, also revealed her husband David Beckham's unconventional method for signaling the end of a dinner party: blowing out the candles.

Beckham shared these hosting secrets in an Instagram clip promoting her new tableware collection with German retailer Westwing. The collection includes items such as a £119 shell-shaped butter dish and knife set, linen cocktail napkins for £54.99, and a £74.99 serving platter.

Julius F. Smith, a former royal butler and founder of Regal Afternoon Tea, commented on Beckham's hosting rules, describing them as "thoughtful" and "hard to disagree with." He noted that her advice, while not radical, serves as a reminder of the impact of small details in making an evening special. Smith agreed with Beckham's stance against paper napkins, stating they "never belong on the table" and that linen is essential for a properly laid table, with the only exception being informal gatherings for sticky finger foods.

Regarding mobile phones, Beckham stated, "You should never even have your phone on the table during a nice dinner party. Very inelegant. And the germs on that phone... that phone is dirty." Smith concurred, telling The Daily Mail, "Absolutely no phones at the table. You have either been invited or done the inviting, so your attention belongs on your company, not your screen. It is a simple courtesy, and phones are surprisingly dirty."

Smith found David Beckham's candle-blowing technique to signal guests to leave "incredibly rude." He suggested subtler hints, like offering a final round of coffee, are more appropriate. He added that some hosts have even resorted to going to bed, leaving guests to let themselves out.

Beckham's tableware collection has drawn mixed reactions from interior designers. Jordana Ashkenazi, founder and design director of Element One House, described the range as "simple, stylish, elegant, timeless and understated," reflecting Beckham's personal aesthetic. However, she noted that it is "not necessarily something that makes you stop in your tracks and say wow" and that similar designs can be found at lower price points on the high street.

Olivia Boardman, a professional interior designer from My Bespoke Room, echoed this sentiment, calling the collection "sophisticated" and "undeniably elegant" with a "touch of old-school glamour." Despite the aesthetic appeal, she pointed out that the prices are high and more affordable alternatives exist. Boardman advised incorporating one or two standout pieces from the collection with more affordable tableware to create an interesting interior without a Beckham-sized budget.

Beckham's collection is exclusively available on Westwing, a European e-commerce brand. Interior designers Jordana Ashkenazi and Olivia Boardman suggested that while the collection is cohesive and stylish, buyers might consider selecting individual pieces rather than the entire range, particularly if budget is a consideration.