Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-08
WHAT MAIDS OF HONOR DO.
About the Daily Duties of the Queens
Most Constant Companions.

From Pearson's Weekly
The most coveted position among gentle
women in the kingdom is that of maid Of
hcnor to Queen Alexandra. AT the mo-
ment. four ladies hold this honorable posi-
ton. Wherever the queen goes-to state
function. ball. theater. party, at home
abroad-at least one maid will be in con-
slant attendance upon her. Yet, though
so much sought after the post is no sine
cure. 1t requires a particularly talented
lady to fulfill all the queens requirements
That they must be daughters of aristo-
Gratis Is. of course, essential-usually they
are daughters or granddaughters of peers
but, failing their right to a title or prece-
dence by birth. they allowed the prefix
OF honorable Immediately upon appoint
ment To office.
A maid of honor's day commences I'M
mediately after the queen has breakfasted.
Though her matesty's private secretary will
see to the bulk OF the correspondence the
mornings post has brought. there will still
remain many letters of more or less con-
fdential and private nature, which the
queen Will answer personally, through one
of her ladies-in-waiting That. alone. re-
Quires a maid OF honor to be an accom-
pfshed linguist. for almost daily Queen
Alexandra receives communications from
fer numerous relatives in different parts OF
Europe
Immediately this is over, and IL the
q
good deal of her time in the open air,
pecially when staying at Sandringham and
Windsor. will order her carriage for a
lengthy drive maid of honor always ac-
companies her majesty: while on those rare
occasions when the queen goes out on
horseback one of her ladies' similarly
mounted, rides with her.
To the management of horses will be add
ed the care of the sick and the poor For
II is on such occasions that the queen
pulls up before some of the cottages of
her villagers and sends her maid of honor
to inquire as to the health and prosperity
of the inmates
Back to luncheon. there Is usually some
function at which the queen. and, of course,
one or more OF her maids of honor. must
attend III a king or queen. or any one or
princely rank, Is visiting King Edward the
maids of honor must be present with the
queen, to greet them on arrival During
the season when drawing rooms are held
the maids take part in the royal procession
to the throne room. and are in attendance
upon her ma jesty throughout the ceremony
A. state concerts they sit Immediately be-
hind the queen and her daughters. At
state balls they are always close at hand,
70 adjust the queens cloak wrap to
take her fan or flowers from her.
There is no ceremony. indeed. not even Of
a semi-ofiicial nature. such, for instance, as
the presentation of medals by the king to
soldiers returned from service abroad or
the distribution of badges to hospital
nurses. at which the Queensis present with
cessions. moreover, these ladies occupy the
carriage Immediately preceding that IN
which the queen herself Is sitting.
Unless requested to join the royal family
at luncheon or dinner. maids of honor after
having placed a special bouquet upon the
dining table at the queens right hand re-
tire to the dining room kept specially for
the other ladies and gentlemen of the
household. But they are again In attend
ance upon her majesty Immediately she
enters the drawing room-to play the piano,
to sing. to read. TO play bridge. to do nee
dlework. paintingsor any amusement or oc-
cupation which Queen Alexandra may de-
eide upon.
Being a renowned musician herself the
queen spends good deal of time at the
plano, and the maids are usually chosen be-
cause of their accomplishments in this d.
rection- All are excellent pianists and sing
ers. They must needs be so. else they would
not be able to take part in the duets which
her majesty loves to take part in person
ally. with brilliancy OF style and absolute