What is a Lady in Waiting?
A lady in waiting is a woman who attends a monarch or high ranking noble. Historically, ladies in waiting were members of the nobility themselves, although this is no longer necessarily required. The role of a lady in waiting has also greatly evolved; most modern ladies in waiting are discreet companions rather than members of a huge court entourage which is designed to impress. A good lady in waiting is said to be intelligent, good natured, and not afraid to offer honest or useful advice to her mistress. Historically, rulers and members of the nobility have always been surrounded by a court, an entourage of individuals which forms a large collective household. Monarchs were often entertained by members of their court, who would dance, sing, play games, participate in plays, and participate in other diversions. In exchange for their roles as companions, members of the court received special privileges and housing as gifts from the monarch. Queens and female members of the nobility ofte
A lady-in-waiting is a female personal assistant at a noble court, attending to a queen, a princess or other noblewoman. A lady-in-waiting is often a noblewoman of lower rank (i.e., a lesser noble) than the one she attends to, and is not considered a servant or other commoner. Their duties varied from monarchy to monarchy. In Tudor England they were divided into four separate caste systems – great ladies, ladies of the privy chamber, Maids of Honour and chamberers. The ladies of the privy chamber were the ones who were closest to the queen, but most of the other women were the maids of honour. Female relatives were often appointed because they could be trusted confidantes to the queen. The duties of ladies-in-waiting at the Tudor court were to act as royal companions, and to accompany the Queen wherever she went. Tudor queens often had a large degree of say in who became their ladies-in-waiting. Sometimes Ladies-in-Waiting would be a lady’s older sister who never got married and came t
