The title of royal mistress goes back thousands of years. As drama and scandal surrounded these women, society would often look down on them. However, these opinions were often kept a secret, because for some, the position of royal mistress was one of the highest in the land. Far from just keeping a monarch company in the bedchamber, royal mistresses, especially those from high-ranking families, often influenced them on issues of their own interests, and those of their relatives. And even if it could be an unstable position, love and lust remained strong, leaving an everlasting mark on the pages of history books. Did you know, for instance, that the great-grandmother of Queen Camilla was also the mistress of the Prince of Wales?
Intrigued? Click on to discover the most influential royal mistresses throughout history.