Royalty To Working Class: The British Social Class System, Explained

Social class - that enigmatic, all-encompassing, and life-altering term that - for better or worse - has been synonymous with the history of the United Kingdom for close to 1,000 years.

Indeed, the British class system holds particular global notoriety - with the notions of monarchy, landed gentry, and the working class continuing to define the contours of Britain's society to this very day.

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0:00 Introduction
2:06 1. William The Conquerer’s Guide To Social Class
4:34 2. The Black Plague Flips The Social Chess Board
6:57 3. Civil Wars and Social Orders
9:45 4. The Sun Will Never Set On The British Empire
12:35 5. The Rise of A Working Class
14:54 6. A Word About “Accents”
16:23 7. The 21st Century U.K. Social Structure
24:28 8. Immigration Into Britain
26:00 9. Conclusion

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"Welcome to 'Royalty To Working Class: The British Social Class System Explained,' a comprehensive deep dive into the multifaceted world of the British social class system. From the pomp and tradition of British royalty to the ever-evolving working class, this video unfolds the rich tapestry of the United Kingdom's societal hierarchy. 🇬🇧

We begin with a historical overview of British old money, tracing the lineage of aristocrats and discovering the persistence of noble roots that have shaped the nation's class landscape. As we journey through the British social class, we explore various facets, including the distinct accents that offer insights into one's class standing, with examples ranging from London's 'glottal stop' to the Received Pronunciation (RP) favored by upper-middle-class individuals.

Next, we delve into the 21st-century U.K. social structure, unraveling the layers from the Royals, Aristocracy, Upper-Middle Class to the Middle, Lower Middle, Working Classes, and the Underclass. Learn about King George V's name change to Windsor amid World War I, the charitable ethos of King Charles The Third, and the aristocracy's hold on 20% of the nation's land.

The dynamics of the upper-middle class's economic vitality and the growth of the lower-middle class spurred by industrialization are examined. We further discuss the working classes' evolution, from traditional industries like coal mining to their current engagement in various fields.

Immigration's profound impact on the United Kingdom is also highlighted. We touch upon the historical migration from Ireland and its cultural legacy, represented by figures like The Beatles, and the significant influx of immigrants from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, reshaping Britain's class structure.

Whether you're curious about the subtle nuances of British accents or the royal family's commitment to public service, this video is an enlightening exploration of a system deeply ingrained in British culture. Join us as we navigate the remarkable complexity of the British social class, from royalty to the working class, reflecting shifts in wealth, cultural values, political dynamics, and professional roles.

[oldmoneyluxury]

What is one of your personal secrets for determining a person’s social class?

[anthonystreeter]

As a Briton with working class origins, I remember going to job interviews 50 years ago and the first question I was asked was father’s occupation. So much for social mobility. I left the UK.

[brendazolli]

I was raised in the UK in a lower middle class family. My father was a white collar office worker, not well paid, mother was a trained nurse, but did not work after marriage. I was influenced a great deal as a child, by my wide reading and secondary education at a grammar school. ( Academic high school for Americans) and definitely felt the need to improve myself. A nursing career really helped. Also although my siblings spoke with a Cockney accent, I never did. Somehow my accent sounded very neutral, so I was accepted by those from the higher classes, middle and upper middle and not put in a ‘ class box’
Once I arrived in the USA, 50 years ago, new doors opened. Americans have a misplaced idea of Brits, thinking them all to be educated and fascinating! I found a refreshing lack of class pretensions. People seemed to accept others far more easily.
One interesting difference I noticed in terms of class. In the UK, if your dad had been a member of the lower class, and you were aspiring upwards, you never let on about your modest background. I remember meeting a British banker here and finding out that his dad had been been a garbage collector in England. He told me this very reluctantly.
In the USA if you were now very successful and came from working roots, you would be proud both of your family background as well as your own achievements. This was very long time ago and from observation, I think the class system has improved a great deal in the UK.

[meldonellis]

As a British born multiracial Black / Caucasian male, I was decidedly working working class throughout my childhood in England, yet consistent with the presentation, my aspirations were middle-class. How did all that work out? Yes, as a skilled lawyer with knowledge, multiple degrees and skills, and even greater aspirations, I guess it’s all working out as outlined in the presentation. Yet, I always sensed it was a bit of a rigged game that militated against the lower classes. Yet, I count myself among the lucky who managed to escape the class boundaries to which I was born. The presentation really resonated with my own journey.

[wswh]

Born in England of working class parents, I endured 45 years of the British class system and then belatedly moved to the United States. Gosh what a relief it has been, plus I live a life style impossible in Britain. I do miss a few things about England, actually three things, confined to cricket, English countryside and country pubs.

[e-cavalier]

As someone from an upper middle class background, you forgot to mention the importance of private education. Schools such as Eton, Harrow and Radley. This differentiates middle class from upper middle class.

[raayshreekaulesarsukul]

Class for me is defined by: integrity, proper education, serving mankind, knowledge of all cultures, politeness, impeccable clothing, manners and being humble.

[pamelacox]

For me the strangest thing is how both the upper classes and lower classes make fun of people from lower and middle classes striving for better education, jobs and housing.

[cjmhall]

My father, a journalist, was born in the UK but later emigrated to New Zealand. When my grandfather came to visit he was shocked to learn that the next door neighbour was a carpenter. That kind of class mixing is normal in NZ but was completely foreign to him.

[seanreynolds]

One method is what money is spent on. Knew a family in my childhood who spent little more than a pittance on a small tv, but owned six dogs, three cats etc. The family car was inexpensive, while the family home was spacious, on acres of land and invisible from the street.

[scottgraham]

One thing Brits do is ask what job you do in order to place you socially, whereas I notice other nations are less hung up on this. Accent is huge in Britain. Also, private education ( 7% of population) bolsters the class system and teaches a sense of self assurance and self control, which intimidates the lower classes. Obeying authority and not wanting to stick out is part of the glue.

[andrewcliffe]

Left Britain in 55, the relative freedom in Australia was sheer delight.

[joesmalley]

I'm a working class chap (started out as underclass) and have struggled against the class system my entire life. Funnily enough I went for a meeting with a British-Indian client who had been privately educated and was certainly upper class. As he told me about the racism he'd experienced he didn't realise that he had in fact also been judging myself all along because of my lack of a "pedigree"

Doing business in America is lovely as as far as Americans are concerned I may as well be related to the Queen herself and I don't get immediately judged based on my language syntax or what area of the UK I come from.

I refuse to let it stop me and have been relatively successful so far but it is very tiring dealing with it day in day out. If I'm totally honest for the first five years (until I learnt the differences in speaking style) I could tell people would think I was an idiot which was a little depressing.

[mssdn]

There are differences between how my husband was raised and how I was raised. We had a house filled with books, we didn’t own a tv until I was about 8. Table manners were hugely important and education was extremely highly valued. My husband was raised with tv being the focus of family life, even in their later years his parents left it on when they had visitors. Table manners weren’t ever a priority in their house, his mum didn’t sit with the children at mealtimes, too many mouths to feed. He left school at 15, despite being intelligent. There wasn’t a single bookshelf in their house. Even now, he’s 70, I can see that his manners weren’t instilled into him, but he did well in life

[tahiti]

You can always judge a gentleman by his shoes and understated but very well cut suit. There will never be a designer label in sight, and his clothes will be well worn, perhaps even passed down from father to son. Less is more.

[teamajaniemi]

I'm from Finland and ten years ago I stayed in the UK for six months (FYI, I worked). I was amused when people were trying to figure out my class and they couldn't. It's hard to tell because in my country social mobility is on another level. A person can speak five languages, have a Master's degree, own a house and still come from working class background.

[old.not.too.grumpy.]

Unlike in most countries wealth is not an idication of your class. What defines your class in the UK is status taste and behavior. While it's true the upper classes are generally wealthy. You can be a multi millionaire and still be working class.

[mikedennington]

Speech and the ability to hold an intelligent conversation and to listen to differing points of view, these indicate middle class to me, where I am in a comfort zone.

[mariacarmennavarro]

The way they speak, their posture, their walk, their behaviour, their manners, their attitude, their philosophy, the way they dress and present themselves, and if they are gracious, low key, down to earth and humble

[YoYo-gtiq]

I'm in the middle class. My daughter had a friend coming over this very rich. She was very nervous about our home not being nice enough. I fixed up the house a little bit, such as putting a new shower curtain but I had to let her know that there's nothing we can do if they are going to judge us for something other than Who We Are as a family. In the end it was a very nice time and we saw them socially several more times over the next two years before they moved away