The Royal Elegance
Royal weddings · State banquets · Bal de la Rose in Monaco
Debuts at the Vienna Opera Ball · Charity galas in London
For those who move in the world’s most distinguished circles
International social protocol · royal etiquette
Into the world of
high society
Royal weddings across Europe, the Bal de la Rose hosted by the Princely Family of Monaco, the Opera Ball at the Vienna State Opera, charity galas in London, private salons within venerable estates along the Mediterranean — there exists, quite unmistakably, another world. Beneath chandeliers of immeasurable luster, where titled lineage, refined intellect, and the most cultivated of tastes intersect, lies the world of international high society.
To stand within that world with composure and grace, the brilliance of one’s attire is by no means sufficient. One must learn, from the very foundations, the European traditions cultivated over centuries, the deportment shaped by the English finishing schools, the principles of royal protocol, and the art of refined appreciation that have all been passed down through generations.
The Royal Elegance — this is the framework of international social protocol and royal etiquette that ICPA offers to those who belong to the world’s most distinguished circles. From three General Stages, to Specialist certification, to a Customised programme, each path may be selected according to one’s standing and aspirations.
ICPA maintains a long-standing partnership with The English Manner, the United Kingdom’s preeminent institute of international protocol and etiquette. Through this association, and with the cooperation of former members of the British Royal Household together with figures of high society, the academy delivers a body of knowledge and deportment that is genuine, authoritative, and impeccably refined.
True elegance is the
harmony of brilliance and bearing
The world’s most
luminous stages
The Royal Elegance is conceived for the most distinguished social stages the world has to offer. Graduates of this course are prepared, from the very foundations, to take their place among them with composure and grace.
Royal weddings, state banquets, and official galas hosted by the British Royal Household and the royal houses of Europe — supreme occasions where the world’s titled families and most distinguished figures gather, where ceremony and brilliance attain their fullest expression.
Hosted by the Princely Family of Monaco and attended by European royalty and the world’s foremost figures of wealth — one of the most luminous charity balls of the Mediterranean, regarded as among the most distinguished social occasions in the world.
Heir to the traditions of the House of Habsburg and recognised as the world’s foremost stage for society debuts. The defining occasion for those invited as debutantes and their partners — the very essence of European court culture.
London, New York, Dubai, Paris — the principal cities of the world where charity dinners of the highest order are held, gathering royalty, the foremost figures of wealth, and the most distinguished philanthropists in support of noble causes.
Those who choose
The Royal Elegance
The Royal Elegance is chosen by those who belong to the world’s most distinguished social stages — gentlemen and ladies of high society who come to refine genuine international social etiquette and royal protocol. We are honoured to introduce a few of those who have studied with us.
Members of distinguished families invited to royal weddings and state banquets across Europe. Those who participate in society close to the royal household also study with us, with quiet care given to the discretion their position requires.
A distinguished couple residing in Dubai, proprietors of a private medical clinic. Occasioned by their participation in the Bal de la Rose of Monaco, they have undertaken the course together by private online instruction.
A young lady preparing for her debut at the Wiener Opernball at the Vienna State Opera. So that she may stand within Europe’s foremost society — heir to the traditions of the House of Habsburg — with assured deportment and refined cultivation.
In preparation for his leading role in the Netflix film “10DANCE,” the principal of ICPA personally instructed Mr. Machida in British protocol and the deportment of upper-class society. Performances that earn recognition on the world’s stages require the genuine mastery of deportment.
Couples and individuals residing across nations — invited to charity galas in London, New York, and Paris, to royal occasions, and to the private salons of the world’s most distinguished clubs — also undertake their studies with us.
The Course
Structure
The Royal Elegance may be selected according to one’s standing and aspirations. For those who wish to study the discipline systematically and in its full depth, there are the three General Stages. For those who aspire to instruct others, the Specialist Certification course awaits. For those whose particular interests or circumstances call for a tailored path, the Customised programme has been prepared.
From the foundations of international social etiquette to the deportment required within the royal social circles of high society — the course is structured into Foundations, Refinement, and Mastery, each undertaken in sequence. The starting stage may be chosen according to one’s experience and aspirations. Upon completion of each stage, an ICPA Certificate of Completion is conferred.
An LEPSW-accredited certification course for those who aspire to teach the protocols of high society. In addition to the full contents of the three General Stages, candidates are instructed in the methods of pedagogy as professionals in the field. Graduates receive the right to offer their own programmes as ICPA-certified instructors. The course is undertaken by executive coaches, consultants, and distinguished figures of instructive standing.
A course composed of selected topics, tailored to the particular interests or circumstances of each student. For those who wish, just before a royal wedding, to concentrate on the deportment of ball culture; for those who would deepen their understanding of jewellery and dress codes alone — the curriculum is designed with flexibility to address each calling. No certificate of completion is issued, yet the essential teachings remain in full. Private online instruction is also available.
Which course
befits you
The most fitting course will vary according to one’s standing and the aim of one’s study. We invite you to consider the following as a guide.
A Guide by Standing & Aspiration
For those attending royal weddings, state banquets, or international galas as individuals, families, or members of high society
→ The Royal Elegance (this course) is most fitting
For those entering international society for the first time, or relocating to Europe and stepping into the world of high society
→ The three General Stages of The Royal Elegance are recommended
For those who wish to teach as instructors of high-society protocol
→ The Specialist Certification course of The Royal Elegance is recommended
For those who wish to study only the topics necessary for a particular occasion, such as in the period leading up to a ball
→ The Customised Programme, with private online instruction, is recommended
For those attending international ceremonies in an official capacity — as government representatives or in roles of state
→ The Diplomatic Excellence (International Diplomatic Protocol) is recommended
For those who hold multiple roles, or who are uncertain which path is most fitting
→ Please make contact with us. We will offer personal counsel
Six modules
that support brilliance
Both the General Stages and the Specialist Certification course are composed around the following six modules.
Heritage of Royal Society
The social culture of European royal houses, the traditions of the Habsburg and Hanover lines, the historical background of the upper classes — the intellectual foundation by which one truly understands the world’s most luminous social stages.
Royal Weddings & State Dinners
The deportment required on invitation to royal weddings and state banquets. The bearing fitting to one’s Japanese identity within the international goodwill of royal occasions, the precise codes of dress, gift-giving, and salutation.
Balls & Gala Dinners
The deportment of the balls and gala dinners of the world — Monaco, Vienna, London. The principles of escort, dance, table manners, and salon conversation, mastered as genuine deportment of the body.
Tiaras, Jewels & Couture
The deportment of wearing the tiara, the standing and selection of fine jewels, the cultivation of haute couture, the etiquette of the glove. The cultivated knowledge of attire and adornment that supports brilliance.
Champagne & Refined Taste
The cultivation of champagne, fine wines, and vintages, of cigars, of fine tea and the tea ceremony, of the history of wine — the world of refined appreciation that lends colour to society of the highest order.
The Bearing Beneath the Brilliance
True elegance arises from the harmony of brilliance and inward bearing. Carriage of the body, line of the gaze, sense of distance, modulation of the voice — the cultivation of bearing itself, which sustains an unshaken presence on the most luminous of stages.
Study and enjoyment
— two academies
Within the ICPA Group there are two academies devoted to the world of society. For those who would learn the genuine principles of bearing and cultivation from their very foundations, there is ICPA. For those who would partake of elegant society as a pleasure in itself, there is our sister academy, TEA.
The preeminent academy of its kind, members-only in standing. A place of genuine study for those of high society. Under LEPSW International Accreditation, international social protocol is mastered from its very foundations, systematically and in full depth.
Discover ICPA →
Our sister academy, devoted to elegant society as a pleasure in itself, with particular attention to those of celebrated standing. Tea ceremonies, salons, the hosting of society gatherings — another academy entirely, dedicated to the lessons and the practice of elegant enjoyment.
Discover TEA →
Royal Elegance
Journeys
Beyond the lectures of the classroom, ICPA from time to time prepares journeys by which to embody royal protocol and the culture of international society in the very places where they live. Accompanied by the principal, these are journeys of study by which one acquires the knowledge and deportment available only in those settings — a programme of distinction.
── A selection of journeys prepared in the past and the present ──
The Royal British Tour (London · visits to English finishing schools)
The Austrian Society Tour (Vienna · the palaces of the Habsburgs)
The Monaco Rose Ball Tour (participation in the Bal de la Rose)
Other distinguished journeys touching the cultures of royal and imperial society
Forthcoming journeys are announced through the ICPA Newsletter, issued occasionally. Members are notified before all others.
Reflections from
our community
The voices of those who have studied The Royal Elegance with us.
I recently attended a Japanese Cultural Etiquette class at ICPA, and it was an incredibly valuable experience. The principal was highly knowledgeable and professional, providing clear explanations of Japanese etiquette and cultural nuances. Knowing the proper customs — whether for business meetings, dining, or casual interactions — helps build stronger relationships and avoid misunderstandings. I will also know how to proceed on my next visit to an onsen.
Progressing from the elementary to the intermediate level, I had the rare privilege of learning directly from experts who embody the true essence of their fields — from British vintage dress code to international manners, from wine to the customs of various nations. Each lesson was rich and deeply rewarding. As the principal does, I hope someday to share with many others the same sense of wonder I have received.
When travelling abroad, I had sensed not only a language barrier but a more subtle, indefinable wall. Through the principal’s guidance, I came to study deportment and presentation in depth. I now hold a more certain confidence than I had before. For those who wish to flourish more fully, and for those who would refine their bearing in society, I recommend this with all my heart.
An occasion to meet state guests prompted me to take the course. There were many practical, finely-detailed teachings in dress code and bearing. The principal, at every lesson and whatever the theme, taught by comparing Japanese protocol with international protocol, allowing me to grasp the cultural knowledge at a deeper level. When taken together with one’s family, the dignity of the entire household is raised.
I was taught manners, etiquette and protocol, not only of Europe and the Americas but also of Japan and the Middle East, with great clarity. There were practical occasions — French cuisine at the Palace Hotel, afternoon tea at the Imperial Hotel. The course gave me cause to consider, before words themselves, the inner bearing of a Japanese person as an international citizen. The principal, as a teacher and as a woman, holds her own axis and never wavers — truly a person to be trusted. This was no run-of-the-mill etiquette school.
Into the world’s
most luminous stages
Welcome to the world of Royal Elegance
The Royal Elegance is the framework of international social protocol · royal etiquette
for those who move in the world’s most distinguished circles.
Three General Stages · Specialist Certification · the Customised Programme
── each path is selected according to one’s standing and aspirations.
We invite you to begin with a personal conversation.