titles other than Lady? What purpose do they serve and how do they get to be one? Do they still have them today?
2007-05-04 18:14:54 · 6 answers · asked by CRYSTAL L21 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Royalty
Ladies-in-waiting are basically female personal assistants to the nobility or royalty. In some countries, ladies in waiting served as mistresses of kings, nobles, or emperors.
During Elizabethan times, ladies-in-waiting were expected to play a number of different instruments and perform a variety of dances. Also in Elizabethan times, ladies-in-waiting were chosen from the high ranked and noble families.
As for still having them today..."In later years, the ladies-in-waiting became discreet companions to the royal ladies of Europe, a practice which continues to this day." - wikipedia.com
Ladies-in-waiting have different titles according to how high their position is. The senior lady-in-waiting is called the Mistress of the Robes. She is responsible for the queen's clothing and jewelry.
I hope that answered some of your questions :)
2007-05-04 18:35:48 · answer #1 · answered by mapledolphin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are still ladies in waiting today! Basically, they are personal assistants to the Queen (a King has lords in waiting).
They are usually women the Queen knows and feels comfortable around, although throughout history they have been the centre of many plots and intrigues.
In times gone past, the Queen would often select one LIW from each of the great aristocratic families of England, to avoid charges of favouritism.
They are not actually servants, as in they would not typically make the bed or serve food, but they help with secretarial duties and so on.
If you write a letter to the Queen, any reply you receive will usually be written by a LIW. When the Queen travels, she always has one or two LIWs to help ensure everything runs smoothly.
If you could imagine having three or four really top flight PAs, that is what the LIW in modern times are like.
2007-05-04 23:49:20 · answer #2 · answered by thing55000 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Lady-in-Waiting is simply an assistant to Royal lady.She may have another title,such as countess,and yes,all of the Royal ladies still require the assistance of a Lady-in-Waiting.The Queen has several of them;the late Princess of Wales also had more than one;she even had her sisters act as Ladies-in-Waiting for her in later years.
A Lady-in-Waiting may help with answering social correspondence;accompany her Royal charge on visits,and keep overly-eager people from monopolizing the Royal's time;see to it that planned occasions are set up properly and will run smoothly.Think of the Lady as a social secretary as well as a Lady who appears with her Royal charge during State Occasions filled with pomp and ceremony.
2007-05-05 07:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The are not royalty.
They are the equivalent of a PA or personal assistant. They are there to relieve the Queen of all the mundane tasks & ensure that everything goes smoothly at any functions she attends etc. Basically, it is her job to think of & solve any problems that may occur but do it before they actually happen. Also, they have to be unobtrusive. In other words, be there all the time but not be seen to be there.
2007-05-04 20:19:42 · answer #4 · answered by monkeyface 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are personal servants of the queen not royalty,usually very minor aristocracy. Nobody of importance would do the job.
2007-05-04 19:01:59 · answer #5 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I dont know
2007-05-04 23:54:13 · answer #6 · answered by Flaviu G 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋