Camilla, the Queen’s Consort, has abandoned her traditional role as a lady-in-waiting
Queen Consort Camilla has abolished the role of lady-in-waiting at Buckingham Palace, breaking with centuries of custom. She broke up the script and decided to start anew, which was a brave move. The Queen, now 75 years old, will no longer be assisted by ladies-in-waiting but instead by a team of six companions. The Queen’s ladies-in-waiting functioned as her personal assistants, travelling with her on official business and acting as her personal secretary during official visits. However, Camilla has signalled her new approach to royal life by replacing the assistants in her style.
The six members of the Queen’s entourage are, according to last night’s official announcement, Camilla’s most trusted friends. Sarah Troughton, Jane von Westenholz, Baroness Carlyn Chisholm, Lady Katharine Brooke, Marchioness of Lansdowne Fiona, and Lady Sarah Keswick are among them.
Similarly to the Marchioness of Lansdowne, Lady Katharine Brooke has made a name for herself in the field of interior design despite no longer having any ties to the previous firm. Keswick’s wife, the chairman of Arsenal, stepped down from her position as chairman in 2020 after 15 years in the position. The chatelaine of Bowood House, Lady Lansdowne, lives in close proximity to Camilla’s Wiltshire manor.
On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace will host a banquet to end violence against women and girls, and some members of the Queen’s entourage will make their first public appearance. A senior royal advisor has revealed that the Queen Consort does not seek or need ladies-in-waiting, and that her companions will instead serve a different purpose.
They are believed to be some of Camilla’s closest and longest-standing companions. Like the ladies-in-waiting, they would receive a little stipend to cover their costs.
