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Some official and perhaps dated titles have largely stuck over centuries, including the lady-in-waiting title of “Woman of the Bedchamber”, who helped the queen dress, and the “Mistress of the Robes”, tasked with looking after the queen’s wardrobe and jewellery. The different roles, all honorary, are part of a hierarchy that served the queen’s day-to-day life.

Over her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II had her own changing slate of about a half-dozen trusted ladies-in-waiting. On the way to the April 2021, funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, Elizabeth sat beside Lady Susan Hussey – perhaps her most loyal lady-in-waiting.

Over six decades in the role, she collected flowers, accompanied the queen to social events and watched television with her. She was Elizabeth’s confidante, Prince William’s godmother, and known endearingly in the palace as the queen’s “Number One Head Girl”. Hussey’s husband, Marmaduke Hussey, was portrayed in the latest season of The Crown as the chairman of the board of governors of the BBC.

The role of lady-in-waiting was not paid. It was bestowed upon aristocrats sufficiently wealthy that they didn’t need to work.

Camilla’s new queen’s companions include long-standing and close friends, as per the list provided by the palace: “The Marchioness of Lansdowne (Fiona), Mrs von Westenholz (Jane), The Honourable Lady Brooke (Katharine), Mrs Peter Troughton (Sarah), [and] Lady Sarah Keswick.”

The queen consort will also have a new full-time equerry: Major Ollie Plunket, of The Rifles, the palace said. An equerry is traditionally a military officer who acts as a royal assistant.

The announcement from Buckingham Palace was not a surprise, as the likelihood of such a switch was reported by the British press shortly after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8.

Queen Elizabeth’s remaining ladies-in-waiting will stay on, helping Charles host events at Buckingham Palace. They will now be called “ladies of the household”, the Palace said.

The new king reportedly wants to downsize the monarchy by reducing the size of its staff as well as the number of palaces and castles.