The Washington herald., 1907-04-28
QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S MAIDS
Has Four Of Them, All Young and
Pretty.
The Position Is One of the Most Cow
eted Distinctions al the
English Court.

The position of maid of honor to the
/ Queen of England is one of the most
coveted distinctions at the court of King
Eds ard. Although far from being a sine
cure, the position has been made so much
easier by the kindness and tact of Queen
/ Alexandra. and the advantages Of being
in the court circle are so many that an
appointment OF this kind is looked upon
rs bit of rare good fortune
Queen Alexandra's household consists
of only fifteen ladies' and six men-in
striking contrast with that of the King.
/ which, SAYS writer in Town and Coun-
! try, includes more than d hundred lndi-
( viduals.
/ Queen Victoria had eight maids Of
honor, of whom two were always in
waiting; bat Queen AleXandras known
( desire for less stately life has prompted
/ her to reduce the number 10 four.
Queen Alexandra delights to surround
herself with quite young. bright. ana
clever people. and an four maids are stiI
/ in their early youth.
/ The tradition is that these young wom-
IN Invariably marry well.
Their position az court brings them into
contact with highly eligible parties; and
an Old custom dating back for centuries
prompts their royal mistress 70 provide q
+ dowIy of 5000 on their wedding day
The marriage of one of the maids OF
honor is great event in the London
/ season.
When the Queen holds drawing-ro7m
for the presentation OF debutantes ana
those who have entree at court, her maids
walk in the royal procession 20 the throne
room, and stand Immediately around her
majesty during tine whole ceremony,
This applies also TO the state concerts.
which are most formal and elaborate
functions beginning at 10 O'Clock at night
and lasting two hours. They must also
De in readiness at any time 10 play duets
with the Queen, dreadful ordeal 10 even
great artists, as she is a brilliant player.
Then there are charity visits, schools
to be Inspected, and "a multitude of royal
duties in all of which the Queen is ac-
companied by her ladies' Al all these
functions the Queens maids are almost
painfully alert q anticipate the slightest
wish of their mistress AT The concerts
they do not stand, but sit Immediately
behind the Queen and royal Princesses-
At state balls they occupied the same
position. They relieve her majesty of her
bouquet or her fan if necessary and adj
just her great ermiae cloak or sable
wraps when draughty corridors are trav-|
lrscd or on the staircases They are i'm
attendance at an state and public cere-
monies. and when driving, as TO the open
ing of "a charity bazaar. TO the railway
station, and other places. one Of the girls
has seat in carriIgc Immediately pre-
ceding that of the Queen.
The duties of these four young ladies' in
waiting begin immediately after her mai
esty's breakfast One or more OF them
assist Miss KH0llys in answering the
mass of correspondence. which requires
the ability of a linguist Then they must
be in readiness TO sing or TO Play if re-
quired. or TO take expeditions on horse
back. IN exercise OF which her majesty
- Iond1 and they must necessarily have
q good seat and be adept whips
They must be skilled in some of her
majesty's special fads. such as wood
carving. fine art necdIeworh, spinning. and
poker work. They must De tsctful ut
an times, amiable, and IN fact, almost alb (
solute parag0ns.
Their meals are taken with The lords
and ladies of the household. unless they
luncheon or dinner Nine oclock is the
hour for dinner, and one of the maids OF
honor. just before it, must place on the
table at the right hand Of the Queen
huge bouquet After dinner the maids
join the royal circle. They enter into
the amusements and may be asked TO
show their accomplishments.
At other courts. it is said, the regime is /
stin the reverse of pleasant In Austria .
an imperial or royal visit TO the opera. +.
theater, or some such function is regarded
as particular pcuance and a severe trial .
of the patience and endurance of the Ia f.
dies in waiting. They are compelled to 4
stand Through The long performance. and I
to bear all the discomfort. with "a smiling
countenance. as do the acrobats and dam
GERS who appear on the stage
The late Empress OF Austria had de
clded fondncss for Wagner. and il can be .
well imagined what was in store when .
either 'S.egfried" or Tristan" was sung
In Spain too. the etiquette of the court
Is very severe.