The word ‘breakfast’ came into the English language in the 15th century to describe the break from eating nothing (‘fasting’) overnight, although the concept of a morning meal is as old as time itself.

We are repeatedly told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is also important in understanding what background, social class and aspirations a person has and how they are setting themselves up for the day.

Let’s tuck in...

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

We shall cover the victuals first. Although social class is not quite as clear cut as lower, middle and upper anymore (each now with their own sub sections) a person’s breakfast can easily be divided into one of those categories.

Breakfast is key in understanding what background, social class you have according to etiquette expert William Hanson. He claims having a full English breakfast, pictured above, is a sign of lower social status

If you opt for a bowl of cereal, you’re at the lower socio-economic end of the breakfast spectrum. They are not so grr-r-reat for any social kudos you wish to maintain. In the words of the great Hyacinth Bucket: 'This is not a Cornflake establishment.'

Sadly, Hyacinth’s own breakfast of choice was off-message - half a grapefruit in a footed glass bowl. Just thank heavens there wasn’t a glacé cherry on top, too.

The middle classes today are obsessed with health foods to start their days. Protein this, good fats that. All rather boring and faddy for the uppers to worry about.

They’ve survived this far without chia seeds, thank you, and will somehow manage to carry on the lineage in their absence.

He claims smartest of breakfasts is, without any question, Kedgeree, a rice, egg and fish dish, above

The top of middle class health foods in vogue at the moment is the avocado (which you must call, correctly, an avocado pear if you wish to remain smart). Only eat this for breakfast upon total desperation. You are not Mexican.

Scrambled eggs and bacon are reportedly enjoyed each morning by The Queen, and are also a staple in country houses for guests.

William, above, says walking down a street with a takeaway cup of coffee is a fast-track ticket for entry into society hell

But the smartest of breakfasts is, without any question, Kedgeree.

If you are eating something called ‘The Full English’ then you must be at an airport pub.

HOW IT IS SERVED

The protocol used to be that only men and unmarried women had breakfast, fully dressed, in the dining room. Married women would have a tray in their bedrooms. In some, slightly anachronistic, houses this still happens.

It is still sacrosanct that a gentleman is never served at breakfast. A butler or senior footman may be present, to help with the odd duty, but the men must help themselves to the provisions that are set on the sideboard.

Should you wish to dip your toe in murky water and actually have some cereal then you must use a rimmed soup plate rather than a bowl. Only the dog eats from a bowl.

BREAKFAST ON THE GO

Do I even have to spell it out what a McMuffin says about your life choices and standards? I severely hope not.

Being seen walking down a street with a takeaway cup of coffee is also a fast-track ticket for entry into society hell.

COFFEE & TEA

Obviously, tea is the most British of drinks for the morning. Served in a cup and saucer, naturally.

Coffee is now fine although having one of the capsule pod machines is too much like a hotel for my liking. Freshly ground and served using a cafetiere (or better still served in a footed coffee pot), please.

Though coffee was traditionally not served at breakfast in Britian, William says it is now fine although having one of the capsule pod machines, pictured above, is too much like a hotel for his liking

The upmarket way to serve coffee at your breakfast is freshly ground and served using a cafetiere, above

Guests pour their own milk and add sugar if required (white for tea, brown for coffee).

Should you want to enjoy a fancy Italian style coffee, then a cappuccino is for breakfast and breakfast only: never beyond!

TOAST

How we eat our toast could be an entire article, if not book, in itself. In essence, here is what you need to know. Prepare to have your minds blown.

You’ve probably been eating toast incorrectly all your life, according to William. When cutting a whole slice of toast, you must cut it diagonally, never straight across, and put on a small amount of butter before you bite

You’ve probably been eating toast incorrectly all your life. Do you slather it all over with jam, butter or marmalade and then eat? Yes? Oh dear.

If you wish to emulate the upper crust you must apply the butter or jam (never ‘preserve’) to a small part of the edge of the slice and then eat. And then apply a little more and eat, nibbling away until it is gone. Très chic.

When cutting a whole slice of toast, you must cut it diagonally, never straight across.

Slathering the bread all over with jam, butter or marmalade before eating the slice is not the best etiquette

MARMALADE

There are even stipulations for marmalade. For those who want to make it in life you need to have aspirations for the thick and cut variety. Shredless is beyond the pale and your breakfast table will be the laughing stock of the village if it is seen.

CONDIMENTS

Should you wish to have a popular brand of sauce with your hot breakfast (you devil, you) then note the way it must be served. There is a clear three-tier class structure for condiments.

While condiments are not ideal at breakfast they are acceptable served in a cut glass bowl. A squeezy bottle, such as the one above is downmarket and therefore unacceptable

Squeezy bottle - downmarket; glass bottle - middle market; decanted - upmarket. Ensure it is decanted in a cut glass bowl on a small plate with a silver spoon for extra capital.