30 of Hyacinth Bucket’s finest quotes

4th October 2025 Editor

The UK is mourning the death of esteemed actress Dame Patricia Routledge (1929 – 2025) at the age of 96. A remarkable talent of stage and screen, she was beloved for her iconic portrayal of the relentlessly aspirational social climber Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced ‘Bouquet’) in the acclaimed BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances from 1990 to 1995.

Hyacinth was devoted to the pursuit of upper-class acceptance, often trying to distance herself from her working-class relatives and project an image of wealth, sophistication, and flawless decorum. Her ostentatious and exhausting efforts to impress others gave rise to some of the funniest moments in the series.

Here are some of our favourite quotes from Hyacinth:

On Society

“It’s Bouquet! B-U-C-K-E-T!”
“The Bucket residence, the lady of the house speaking!”
“I do apologise, Vicar, I must answer my white, slimline telephone with last number redial facilities, it’s bound to be someone important.”
“I do hope you’re not going to spoil things with lower middle class humor.”
“People who try to pretend they’re superior make it so much harder for those of us who really are.”
“I would be very pleased if you would accept my invitation to one of my candlelight suppers.”
“If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s snobbery and one-upmanship. People trying to pretend they’re superior.”
“The one thing that distinguishes us from other people is the absence of vulgar noise.”
“This is a private, slimline, white telephone with no connection whatsoever to any business or trade. Especially not one of foreign extraction!” (On getting Chinese takeaway calls)
“There are people of substance in this community who are probably queueing to ring me at this very moment!”
“I want you to instruct your superiors that this is a first class stamp residence.”
“They’re invited to my waterside supper with riparian entertainment.”

On Family

“It’s my sister Violet, the one with the Mercedes, sauna and a musical bidet. Classical, of course.” (Sometimes adding, “and room for a pony.”)
“Sheridaaaaaaan!” (Her signature call for her precious, unseen son)
“The Bouquet residence, lady of the house speaking. (Pause) Oh, it’s you Daisy.”
“They are my family and I love them dearly, especially at this time of year, when it gets dark early.” (A veiled wish for them to leave sooner)
“Rose, that skirt’s too short!”
“Tell Onslow to go and put a shirt on.”
“I love my family, but that’s no reason why I should have to acknowledge them in broad daylight.”
“Richard, you know how much I love daddy. I would have him here if it wasn’t for all the time he spends in the bathroom.”
“If my Sheridan were here he’d be appalled!”
“I’ve got Elizabeth and Emmet here. You remember Elizabeth, from next door. Her husband works abroad somewhere; one of those Arab countries. Yes, you met her at one one of my candlelight suppers. She drops things.”

On Marriage and Richard

Richard is Hyacinth’s long-suffering husband, whom she constantly pushes to climb the corporate ladder and maintain the façade of their “Bouquet” lifestyle.

“Richard, a little decorum, please! That is not the sort of behaviour one would expect from a person with a reservation for a quality cruise.”
“Sheridan deserves a father full of executive stress, wearing a bow-tie.”
“I once caught Richard playing with a Frisbee. He said it’s one he found, but I wasn’t sure.”
“I will not have you not thinking in front of the neighbours, Richard.”
“I will not have you spreading rumors that I might be married to somebody who wears overalls.”
“Home, Richard! I will not share my throne with these impostors!” (Referring to her low-class relatives)
“I expect that’s what keeps our marriage interesting.” (Her rationale for Richard never understanding her logic)
;”He wouldn’t speak to me when he was up a tree.” (Discussing her husband’s strange behavior with a neighbor)

Keeping Up Appearances is available to stream on ITVX Premium in the UK, on Britbox in the USA and Canada, and on Britbox and Stan in Australia.