Lords and Gentlemen of the Bedchamber
Gentleman of the Bedchamber was a title in the royal household of the Kingdom of England from the 11th century, later used also in the Kingdom of Great Britain. A Lord of the Bedchamber was a courtier in the Royal Household; the term being first used in 1718. Lords and Gentleman of the Bedchamber's duties originally consisted of assisting the monarch with dressing, waiting on him when he ate, guarding access to his bedchamber and closet and providing companionship. Such functions became less important over time but provided proximity to the monarch and  the holders were thus trusted confidants and often extremely powerful. The offices were in the gift of The Crown and were originally sworn by Royal Warrant directed to the Lord Chamberlain. This is an "incomplete" list of noblemen who have served as Lord of the Bedchamber or Gentleman of the Bedchamber: Description and functions. There were always several holders of the office, who were invariably gentlemen and almost invariably peers, often important ones, as the regular access to the monarch which the role brought was the most valuable commodity of the courtier. The duties of the office involved waiting on  the King when he ate in private, helping him to dress, guarding the bedchamber and water closet, and providing companionship. From 1660 the office of first gentleman of the bedchamber was invariably combined with that of Groom of the Stool. On average the number of Gentlemen varied around 12 but fluctuated from time to time. During the reign of James II there were only eight, and none were appointed during the reign of Queen Anne. "Following Edward's accession to the throne, Baron Suffield was gazetted as a "Lord in Waiting" to the King". "Following George's accession to the  throne, Baron Annaly was initially gazetted as "Lord of the Bedchamber in Waiting" to the king; but was subsequently referred to as "Lord in Waiting"."