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Anne Glenconner, who served Queen Elizabeth II's sister Princess Margaret, wrote in her memoir that she was expected to deal with the princess' "royal moments," like "dog-paddling sideways so the breaststroking princess could continue a conversation."
Instead of a lady-in-waiting dressing her, Queen Elizabeth II has personal stylist Angela Kelly oversee her wardrobe choices. Because Kelly shares the same shoe size as her majesty, she even breaks the shoes in for her.
A lady-in-waiting is a reflection of the royal family, so she must be appropriately dressed at all times. Historically, they also had to look worthy of the role. In Tudor times, ladies-in-waiting would even craft their own clothes.
The queen also acted as a guardian to unwed ladies-in-waiting, and some were quite strict in their 'parenting' style. Queen Catherine of Aragon, for instance, would read them religious texts and "forbade any vain amusements."
While Queen Elizabeth II’s attendants are not known to bathe her, they are in charge of running her bath. This includes checking the temperature with a thermometer and making sure the water is at a certain level.
Those who worked as ladies of the bedchamber, also known as “body servants,” were really close to the queen and performed very intimate tasks.
Sometimes ladies-in-waiting stay in Buckingham Palace or the royal apartments in London if they have to. One of Queen Elizabeth II's highest-ranked ladies-in-waiting, Lady Susan Hussey, moved to Windsor Castle when the pandemic began.
Indeed, the women who are appointed by the Queen are already wealthy and most have royal titles, making the relationship with the sovereign easier.
Ladies-in-waiting had to entertain the queen. They would be able to play instruments, dance, and ride horses if needed. They would sometimes be invited to play games and participate in whatever activity the queen was up to.
Ladies-in-waiting must accompany the Queen, in both public and private. While for many years these women were essentially servants, today they are more so close friends.
Next in the rank would be the maids of honor. Usually single, they could marry up and be gifted a lot of money as a wedding present. In Queen Victoria’s reign, they could earn the equivalent of £134,000 (US$177,000) in today’s money and move up in the ranks.
These women have historically played a crucial role. They have been close to queens and have indeed influenced political decisions. It goes without saying that a lady-in-waiting must abide by a set of rules. Let’s take a look at some of them.
The highest ranked lady-in-waiting used to be the mistress of the robes (once responsible for the queen's clothes and jewelry), followed by the woman of the bedchamber. The latter was responsible for bathing and dressing the queen.
Jane Seymour, Queen of England (1536-1537) reportedly once told a lady-in-waiting that her girdle embroidered with 120 pearls was not grand enough to be worn in her presence. During Elizabethan times, they had to "look clean and smell pleasant."
Traditionally, in the British royal family, these women used to be daughters, wives, or widows of nobles and other important people. This is not necessarily the case in this day and age.
The position used to be very sought-after as a job for life, but today this is an unpaid position, held by friends of the family.
Ladies-in-waiting are women who attend to the various needs of female royals.
Being a lady-in-waiting is a lifetime career. Some of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting are indeed quite senior. Lady Susan Hussey, for instance, is in her eighties.
This is the case for Lady Susan Hussey, Queen Elizabeth II’s trusted lady-in-waiting who not only is present at important events, but also has administrative duties in the palace.
The number of ladies-in-waiting on rotation and the time of service vary, depending on the monarch. They can work only a few times a year, and the duration can last a few days, or up to a month on some occasions.
And so was Lady Ann Fortune FitzRoy, who served the Queen until her death on December 3, 2021. She was 101.
Sources: (Grunge)
See also: What will happen when the Queen dies?
Not all ladies-in-waiting are on call at the same time. Their rotations, known as "waits," are decided by the Queen and the mistress of robes.
With other professionals taking care of royal affairs (e.g. Edward Young, the Queen’s Private Secretary, pictured), ladies-in-waiting are no longer required as they were in the past. Today they are more of a friend the Queen takes to events. Though some still have other duties.
They might become members of the Royal Victorian Order (a knighthood to distinguish personal service to her majesty). Indeed this was the case with Rebecca Deacon, one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, who also worked for the Cambridges.
While they used to get a salary in the past, nowadays being a lady-in-waiting is a prestigious role that is not directly paid through monetary compensation. They do, however, get (really nice) clothes and travel expenses paid.
Though this lady-in-waiting will also flag any correspondence that should be passed directly on to the Queen to answer.
The Queen receives a lot of correspondence every day, and many of these letters are answered by a lady-in-waiting.
Historically, the woman of the bedchamber was responsible for managing the queen’s busy social calendar. But while her trusted lady-in-waiting is still present nowadays, Elizabeth II also has extra help from her press secretary.
You will often see the lady-in-waiting interacting with fans, and collecting gifts such as flowers from the public. These women may, on occasion, even attend events on behalf of the royal family.
Throughout history, queens have always had many servants around them. Nowadays, this number has been reduced, and indeed Queen Elizabeth II is more autonomous. However, she still relies in her trusted ladies-in-waiting for a number of things. But who are these women, what do they do, and what rules must they follow?
Browse through this gallery and delve into the world of the British royal family's ladies-in-waiting.
Rules British ladies-in-waiting must follow
Who are these women who work for the Queen?
LIFESTYLE Royalty
Throughout history, queens have always had many servants around them. Nowadays, this number has been reduced, and indeed Queen Elizabeth II is more autonomous. However, she still relies in her trusted ladies-in-waiting for a number of things. But who are these women, what do they do, and what rules must they follow?
Browse through this gallery and delve into the world of the British royal family's ladies-in-waiting.