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The Queen Consort will renounce the age-old tradition of having ladies-in-waiting as part of her retinue.
Camilla, 75, thinks having a smaller workforce is “more moving with the times” — and her approach is more in line with the king’s vision for a leaner monarchy.
Instead, her existing staffers will take on the traditional duties of the monarch’s official companions in what has been lightly described as a ‘two for the price of one’ deal, the Daily Mail can reveal.
The late Queen had about seven devoted ladies-in-waiting – affectionately called the chief maidens – at the time of her death, some of whom had stood by her side for more than 60 years.
Camilla, 75, thinks having a smaller workforce is ‘more moving with the times’ – and her approach fits better with the king’s vision for a leaner monarchy
They handled everything from public and personal correspondence and organizing the royal diary to accompanying the monarch on betrothals, collecting flowers and arranging private family events.
They were also faithful companions of the monarch and acted as her eyes and ears in the palace.
The roles were unpaid and holders were almost always chosen from the upper echelons of the aristocracy, as few are wealthy enough to afford to take on such a demanding position simply out of loyalty to the Crown.
But as most of the existing reel holders are retiring, Camilla has decided to organize things “a little differently.”
A source explains: ‘When she got married and first set up her own office, she was given two brilliant private secretaries, Amanda Macmanus and Joy Camm. But they were very much “two for the price of one”. They not only arranged all her assignments and projects, but also acted as ladies-in-waiting if necessary, accompanied her in official tasks, collected bouquets of flowers and the like.
The late Queen had about seven devoted ladies-in-waiting – affectionately called the chief maidens – at the time of her death, some of whom had stood by her side for more than 60 years. Pictured: late queen with her lady-in-waiting Mary Morrison
“No one is at the ceremony in her office, everyone participates.
“The feeling is that while things have changed dramatically in many ways, she won’t take on an official lineup of ladies-in-waiting.”
Camilla currently has two loyal and extremely capable female private secretaries, Sophie Densham, and her deputy, Belinda Kim.
In addition to organizing Camilla’s diary and public gatherings, they are already accompanying her on official visits and will continue to do the same at Buckingham Palace, sources say.
Camilla is a prolific writer – she wrote over 2000 letters last year alone.
She may hire a little more staff to cope with the inevitable increase in correspondence she is likely to receive.
But otherwise, she’ll call on her existing staff, and occasionally call on friends like Jane Westenholz — a Baroness and former model whom the Queen Consort apparently calls “Exalted” — to help where needed.
The source explains: ‘The Queen Consort will do things a little differently. She currently has two private secretaries who still perform some of those traditional duties.
“And she has a lot of good and decent friends around her that she can call on when needed to support her. I suspect she will dive into her close circle of friends, perhaps geographically.
‘She has many comrades in London and Scotland, but also in the countryside. She thinks it’s more with time.’
Historically, a lady-in-waiting was a female “personal assistant” at court, often drawn from the nobility, to serve a high-ranking royal wife.
But as most of the existing reel holders are retiring, Camilla has decided to organize things ‘a little differently’
The ladies’ duties today are mainly administrative, but they remain without a doubt some of the most trusted, discreet and powerful figures on the court – even if they don’t hold the most prestigious job title or earn a salary. Today they are quite modest in number, but that was not always the case – Queen Elizabeth I had as many as 30 ladies-in-waiting.
Queen Elizabeth II’s ladies-in-waiting were led by Lady Susan Hussey, nicknamed ‘number one head girl’. Lady Susan, 83, took over as the Lady of the Bedroom and had been with the Queen since 1960, Prince Andrew’s birth year.
Others included the Honorable Mary Morrison, 85, who had a passion for horse racing, and the Duchess of Grafton.
All the ladies-in-waiting were carefully attuned to the queen’s needs and moods.
Although elderly themselves, many had remained committed to their posts because they wanted to stay with the Queen until she passed away.