Bridgerton: Why Kate Isn't Introduced With Her First Name, But Edwina Is

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Warning: This post contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 2.

Bridgerton season 2 introduces Kate Sharma and her younger sister, Edwina, but they’re each addressed differently when in public — here’s why. Season 2 sees Kate, Edwina, and their mother Lady Mary traveling from India to London to find Edwina a love match. By Regency era standards, Kate is already a spinster at the age of 26, whereas Edwina is the diamond, hand-picked by Queen Charlotte as the incomparable of the social season. This naturally led the ton to treat Edwina quite differently than they did Kate.

Addressing a person during the Regency era was a big deal, and it was considered disrespectful to call someone — be it a viscount, duke, baron or otherwise — by their first name. Social rules maintained that only family members would address their siblings, or a parent their child, by their given name. When it came to introductions, Kate was always announced as Miss Sharma and Edwina as Miss Edwina Sharma. Their mother, meanwhile, was Lady Mary or Lady Mary Sharma. Initially, this form of address may seem like it’s because of Kate’s unmarried status or to clarify between the two sisters.

Related: Bridgerton: Why Anthony And Kate's Romance Beats Daphne And Simon

However, Kate is addressed by only her family name because she is the eldest child in the Sharma family. Edwina, as the younger sibling, does not get this distinction and so her given name is used. Bridgerton makes the differences obvious in season 2, most especially when the Sharmas are at balls, but the different forms of address are there in season 1 as well. Daphne, as the eldest daughter, is typically introduced as Miss Bridgerton while Eloise is Miss Eloise Bridgerton. One can look to Jane