Queen Camilla does away with ‘ladies-in-waiting’ in break from centuries-old tradition
Misty Severi
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Queen Camilla will no longer have any “ladies-in-waiting” as England’s queen consort, renaming her six royal helpers to “queen’s companions” instead.
The queen will be modernizing the roles and breaking from a royal tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. The change is not just in name but also in responsibility. The six assistants will not need to attend as many events as previously required, and the women will not be required to help with correspondence or administrative work, with the role instead becoming ceremonial. Their first appearance will be at an event raising awareness for violence against women on Tuesday.
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“Some of the Queen’s Companions will be in attendance for the first time at Her Majesty’s Violence Against Women and Girls Reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “The role of Queen’s Companion will be to support The Queen Consort in some of her key official and State duties, in addition to her Private Secretary/Deputy Private Secretary.”
Fiona Petty-Fitzmaurice, the Marchioness of Lansdowne; Jane von Westenholz; Lady Katharine Brooke; Sarah Troughton; Lady Sarah Keswick; and Baroness Chisholm, a former Conservative whip and Cabinet Office spokeswoman for the House of Lords, have been named Camilla’s companions, according to the BBC. The women will not be paid, but their expenses will be covered.
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Queen Elizabeth II’s former ladies-in-waiting will now be called “ladies of the household,” according to the outlet, and they will help King Charles III plan and host events at Buckingham Palace.