Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-08-25
QUEEN MARY'S HOUSEHOLD
Duties Of Women WHO Occupy Posts
of Honor In II.

First comes the mistress of the robes.
then ladies of the bedchamber, US
ualiy styled ladies-in waiting. women
OF tho bedchamber and maids Of hon
or. Queen Victoria as reigning
sovereign had eight ladies' of each
class in her household.
The number retained by queen
cohsort. however, varies according to
her pleasure and convenience. Queen
mary has at present in her service
only one lady-in- waiting. three extra
iadies-in- waiting and four women of
the bed-chamher. Maids of honor had
not been appointed at the time of
writing.
The office OF mistress of robes to
queen regnant Is II political ono
and changes with the Government
but that OF queen cOnsort IL in her
own gift and III ay be held for an in
definite period. The mistress of the
robes must always he a duchess
whereas in case of n queen consort a
widowed duchess may be appointed If
more convenient.
The duties of the mistress of the
robes are limited to State occasions
This high official is in the royal suite
at courts, palace balls and at the
meeting Of Parliament. At such times
she stands behind the queen, and she
walks bchind her royal mistress in
any state procession. Also when a
procession drives through the streets
the carriage IN which she is seated
follows next after the state carriage
of the sovereiEns.
Her duties are many at tho time
of n coronation and during the ccre-
mony she Is In close attendance on her
royal lady. When their matesties are
in London, a mistress of the robes re.
sides in her own house and is conveyed
to and from the scene Of her duties IN
one of the royal carriages. But II the
court is at Windsor she remains I'M
dor the roof of Windsor Castle.
The Duchess of Devonshire, who
has been chosen to fiji this high post
Is the elder daughter Of Lord and
Lady Lansdowne She Is tail and fat,
and dignified, fond of home life and a
devoted mother to her seven children
She has tho grand manner and Will
no doubt be one of the leading host
csses; but on account Of mourning
der her reign been the scene of an,
society entertainments.
lady of the bedchamber to eithe,
n queen regnant or a queen consort
must be a peeress. Her wait" varie.
from three weeks to month. accord
ing to the queens convenience. And
whether she is at her own home ir
London or staying AT Windsor Castle
she must always hold herself in readi.
ness and consider her time rs entirely
at her royal lady's disposal. She
would be in attendance on the queer
at balls, dinners, weddings or any
other formal entertainment and OF
course at all state ceremonials.
Extra ladies' of the bcdchamber are
appointed according to the royal
measure, but they have no salary ant
no fixed waits" IN attendance. Ladies
who take office as women of tho bed
chamber must have rank. but the,
need not he peeresses Their waits
are arranged in the same way as thos,
Of ladies-in- waiting.
Maids of honor are usually the lad
household. They must be either tn.
else the grand daughters of peers. TIL,
daughters of dukes. marquises ant
earls are OF too high rank for the DO
sition.
Maids Of honor do duty in couples
The time of waiting is four weeks
and each maid is In attendance fol
that period about three times In tn.
course of twelve months. When tn,
court is In London the maids of honor
reside in their own homes. and not a
buckingham Palace: but as in the cas-,
of tho other court ladies. a royal car
riage Is sent to convey them TO anC
from the scene OF action.
maid Of honor does not drive will
the queen or attend her majesty a
dinners, that politeness of kings
puncuality. 1t also assumed that he,
lips will be sealed as regards thu
private affairs of royalty and thu
ways and manners of tho household.
II maid of honor chances TO be
peers daughter she OF course bear
the courtesy title Of honorable" bu
II not sho Is invested with that styl
and title Immediately after her ap
pointment. And this she bears for life
whether single or married. And sh
receives a badge of office, which take
tho form Of a miniature of the Queel
set in diamonds
In everyday life this can be worl
as wished, but when the owner Is Il
waiting II must be attached to tn
left side of the bodice and used as
decoration. And the badge is retaine
for life and not given up on marriag
or when leaving the royal service. TIL
office OF maid of honor Is highly es
teemed, as it gives much social stat
US and in the end often leads to
successful marriage.
| Queen Mary has appointed Lad
Shaftesbury AZ her lady of the bed
chamber. Lady Shaftesbury has man
charms and graces and as Lady eros
lvenors daughter It may be guesse
| that she is clever and cultured heyon
the average. She likes books and read
ling. Is fond Of music and when 4
town may often DO seen at the oper
and at concerts both private and pub
lie. She Is young and beautiful and he
face Is framed in cloud OF soft era
hair and she has gentle and mos
attractive personality. Some time ag
Inho WoHN ~ 'bdtii 10 VlS1t IN
grave Of her husband, as he was b
his own wish buried where no fell O.
Diamond Hin. Lady Airlie IL fond @
flowers and at her Scotch homo In
made garden of friendship. wfer
every flower has been planted by
personal friend or visitor OF DIS
| tinction.-Froin the Gentlewoman.
|