The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-19
COURT GOSSIP OF THE
CUSTOMS OF ENGLISH ROYALTY

ham Palace, the maid OF honor on duty
IL Instructed TO take charge OF the
gathering.
From the above Il will be seen that the
\ duties OF a maid OF honor TO the Queen
are little more than nominal, but there
is always a keen competition to secure
the position whenever a vacancy occurs,
since II gives a young lady definite
standing In society, such as otherwise
she might not easily attain. The APP
pointment rests with the mistress OF the
robes. who, according 10 precedent. sub
n:its to the Queen three names. The first
of these invariably Is chosen, signifying
her approval by pricklng II with a silver
| bodkin.
The salary attached to the post ofemaid
of honor to the Queen is R3OO a year.
paid quarterly out Of the privy purse.
Needless to add, this sum does not near
ly cover the expense to which the In
cumbent Is put to in the course OF a
year, since It is an unwritten law that
she must wear a new dress at every
court or other state function that she is
called upon to attend. These may cost
anything up to 30 guineRs. though her
majesty by no means favors eXtrava-
gance in dress on the part OF those in
attendance upon her.
A maid OF honor likewise is entitled
to the rank OF honorable" and retains
this title for life. or necessity she re-
I linquishes this appointment upon her
marriage. but then receives a gift OF
el.0O0. Queen Victoria introduced the
custom OF presenting to each Of her
maids Of honor who married a cashmere
shawl of such wonderful fneness OF tex
ture that it used TO be said that the
bride might easily have drawn 1t
through her wedding ring Queen Alex
andra varied this custom by substitute
ing a diamond hair ornament for the
| shawl and in this she has been followed
by the present Queen.
II is very unusual for a maid OF honor
to relinQuish her appointment save by
marriage. but II is understood that.
should she do so. she is entitled TO a
retiring allowance and pension for life
equal to two-thirds of her salary.
hear that the Office Of master OF the
household of the King of England. which
is the most important post in the depart
ment of the lord steward. will become
vacant shortly by the resignation OF Sir
Charles Frederick. who was appointed
by the late King Edward. As his sue
cessor Is mentioned most prominently in
well posted court circles. the Hon. Sir
Derek William George Keppel Gknight
Commander Victorian ORDER, equerry-in-
ordinary to King George and also to
him as Prince of Wales from 1893 until
he assembled the throne.
Sir Derek is the second son Of the
Earl of AIbemarle (Slr Arnold Allan Cecil
KeppeD. He was born in 1853 educated
in 'CharterhoUse" and married a da ugh
ter of the Fifth Baron Suffield. The KEEP
pels indeed are Of ancient lineage their
name appearing In history as early as
1873. whom Walter van Keppel OF Guelder-
land. in Holland. Is mentioned as the
father OF the Seigmieur of the lOrdship
OF Verwoede. An ancestor. who was
the Lord of Worst in 1855 accompanied
the Prince, Of Orange from the Meth
erlands to England. When the latter
had been made King he rewarded the
faithful and loyal Keppel in 1895 by
creating him a Baron Ashford. Later
he was made Viscount Bury and this
was followed by admitting him TO the
British peerage as Earl Albemarle "a
town in Normandy. But there was still
another high honor in stOr" for the en-
nobled Dutchman. for he was decorated
with the Garter. a distinction usually
reserved for royalty and ruling princes.
FLANEUR.