Lady-in-waiting facts for kids
A lady-in-waiting is a special helper for a queen, a princess, or another important noblewoman. She works at a royal court, which is like a palace where kings, queens, and nobles live. A lady-in-waiting is usually a noblewoman herself, but of a slightly lower rank. She is not considered a regular servant.
Her job involves helping the noblewoman with daily activities. This can include waking her up, helping her get dressed, and going with her to events. The exact duties could be different depending on the court. Often, people with artistic talents were chosen for this role. For example, in Russia, young women were sometimes chosen around ages 14 to 20. They would usually leave the court when they married. Many famous women, like Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour, were once ladies-in-waiting before they became queens.
Famous Ladies-in-Waiting
Throughout history, many ladies-in-waiting became well-known. Some even went on to hold very important positions.
- The Princesse de Lamballe was a close friend and lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France.
- Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr all served as ladies-in-waiting. They later became wives of King Henry VIII of England.
- The Countess of Valentinois was a lady-in-waiting to the French-Italian Countess of Provence.
Images for kids
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Princess Tatiana Alexandrovna Yusupova, a lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Court of Russia
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Tang Dynasty court ladies on A Palace Concert painting
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Marie Louise of Savoy-Carignan, Princesse de Lamballe was lady-in-waiting to Queen Marie Antoinette of France
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Walking behind Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to Toronto in 2010 are two of her ladies-in-waiting: Lady Susan Hussey (a Woman of the Bedchamber, left) and Diana, Lady Farnham (a Lady of the Bedchamber, right).
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Lettice Knollys, Countess of Essex and Leicester
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See also
In Spanish: Dama de compañía para niños
