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Court Mistress (; ; ; ; ) or Chief Court Mistress (; ; ; ; ; ) is or was the title of the senior
lady-in-waiting A lady-in-waiting (alternatively written lady in waiting) or court lady is a female personal assistant at a Royal court, court, attending on a royal woman or a high-ranking nobility, noblewoman. Historically, in Europe, a lady-in-waiting was o ...
in the courts of Austria, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Imperial Russia, and the German princely and royal courts.


Chief court mistresses of Austria

In 1619, a set organisation was finally established for the Austrian Imperial court which came to be the characteristic organisation of the Austrian-Habsburg court roughly kept from this point onward. The first rank of the female courtiers was the '' Obersthofmeisterin'', who was second in rank after the empress herself, and responsible for all the female courtiers.Nadine Akkerman & Birgit Houben, eds. ''The Politics of Female Households: Ladies-in-Waiting Across Early Modern Europe'' (2013). Whenever absent, she was replaced by the ''Fräuleinhofmeisterin'', normally in charge of the unmarried female courtiers, their conduct and service.


Anna of Tyrol Anna of Tyrol (4 October 1585 – 14 December 1618) was by birth an Archduchess of Austria and member of the Tyrolean branch of the House of Habsburg and by marriage Holy Roman Empress, German Queen, Queen of Bohemia and Queen of Hungary. The fi ...
, 1608–1618

* 1611–1618: Freiin Katharina v. Kollowrath-L.


Eleonora Gonzaga, 1622–1658

* 1621–1624: Gräfin Maria Anna v. Portia * 1624–1637: Gräfin Ursula v. Attems * 1637–1644: Freiin Margarita v. Herberstein * 1647–1647: Gräfin Octavia Strozzi * 1652–1655: Freiin Anna Eleonora v. Metternich


Maria Anna of Spain, 1631–1646

* 1630–1638: Victoria de Toledo y Colonna * 1643–1646: Marquesa de Flores Dávila


Maria Leopoldine of Austria, 1648–1649

* 1648–1649: Gräfin Anna Eleonora v. Wolkenstein 1648–1649


Eleonora Gonzaga, 1651–1686

* 1651–1658: Gräfin Maria Elisabeth v. Wagensperg


Maria Theresa of Austria Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was the ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position in her own right. She was the sovereig ...
, 1740–1780

* 1740–1754: Gräfin Marie Karoline von Fuchs-Mollard


Empress Elisabeth of Austria Elisabeth (born Duchess Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie in Bavaria; 24 December 1837 – 10 September 1898), nicknamed Sisi or Sissi, was Empress of Austria and List of Hungarian consorts, Queen of Hungary from her marriage to Franz Joseph I of Austri ...
, 1854–1898

* 1854–1862: Gräfin
Sophie Esterházy Princess Sophie Marie Josepha of Liechtenstein, Countess Esterházy von Galántha (5 September 1798 – 27 June 1869), was an Austrian noblewoman and Imperial court official. As the daughter of Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, she was ...
* 1862– : Gräfin Pauline von Königsegg * Maria Welser, Gräfin von Welsersheimb Freiin zu Gumpenstein


Chief court mistresses of Denmark

The early modern Danish court was organized according to the German court model, in turn inspired by the Imperial Austrian court model, from the 16th century onward.Fabian Persson (1999). ''Servants of Fortune. The Swedish Court between 1598 and 1721''. Lund: Wallin & Dalholm. . The highest rank female courtier to a female royal was the ''hofmesterinde'' (Court Mistress) from 1694/98 onward named '' Overhofmesterinde'' (Chief Court Mistress), equivalent to the Mistress of the Robes, normally an elder widow, who supervised the rest of the ladies-in-waiting. The Princess
Anne of Denmark Anne of Denmark (; 12 December 1574 – 2 March 1619) was the wife of King James VI and I. She was List of Scottish royal consorts, Queen of Scotland from their marriage on 20 August 1589 and List of English royal consorts, Queen of Engl ...
married
James VI of Scotland James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until ...
in 1589, and Fru Ide Ulfstand was appointed ''hofmesterinde'' to her new household. In Scotland,
Margaret Stewart, Mistress of Ochiltree Margaret Stewart, Mistress of Ochiltree (died 1627) was a courtier in the household of Anne of Denmark in Scotland and looked after her children Prince Henry, Princess Elizabeth, and Charles I of England Career Margaret was the daughter of He ...
seems to have fulfilled the role. When the office was vacant the tasks were taken over by the second in command, the '' kammarfrøken''. This was also the case when the office of hofmesterinde to the queen was left vacant in 1808–23 and 1839–45, and was handled by Friederiche Amalie Marie Hedevig von der Manfe and Marie Ernestine Wilhelmine von Walterstorf respectively.Kongelig dansk hof- og statskalender


Christina of Saxony, 1481–1513

* 1490–1496: Sidsel Lunge * 1503–1516: Anne Meinstrup


Isabella of Austria Isabella of Austria (''Isabel''; 18 July 1501 – 19 January 1526), also known as Elizabeth, was born an Archduchess of Archduchy of Austria, Austria and Infanta of Castile from the House of Habsburg, and subsequently became List of Danish consor ...
, 1515–1523

* 1516–1517: Anne Meinstrup * 1517–1523: Sigbrit Willoms


Sophie of Pomerania, 1523–1533

* 1526–1533: Anne Meinstrup


Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg (9 July 1511 – 7 October 1571) was queen consort of Denmark and Norway by marriage to King Christian III of Denmark. She was known to having wielded influence upon the affairs of state in Denmark.Jorgensen, Ellen & S ...
, 1534–1571

* 1557–1558: Fru Kirstine. * 1558– : Anne Albertsdatter Glob-Urne.


Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (''Sophia''; 4 September 1557 – 4 October 1631) was List of Danish royal consorts, Queen of Denmark and List of Norwegian royal consorts, Norway by marriage to Frederick II of Denmark. She was the mother of King ...
, 1572–1631

* 1572–1584: Inger Oxe * 1584–1592:
Beate Clausdatter Bille Beate Clausdatter Bille (30 April 1526 – 18 October 1605) was a Danish Danish nobility, noblewoman and vassal who was born into the noble Bille (noble family), Bille family and married into the Brahe, Brahe family. As a member of the royal court ...


Anne Catherine of Brandenburg Anne Catherine of Brandenburg (26 June 1575 – 8 April 1612) was Queen of Denmark and Norway from 1597 to 1612 as the first spouse of King Christian IV of Denmark. Life Anne Catherine was born in Halle (Saale) and raised in Wolmirstedt. Her p ...
, 1597–1612

* 1597–1612:
Beate Huitfeldt Beate Huitfeldt (Copenhagen, 27 November 1554 – 1626), was a Danish noble and court official. She served as maid of honour to queen of Denmark Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow in 1572–1574, as Principal lady-in-waiting to queen Anne Catherine ...


Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Calenberg (24 March 1628 – 20 February 1685) was List of Danish consorts, Queen of Denmark and List of Norwegian consorts, Norway as the consort of the King Frederick III of Denmark. She is known for her political in ...
, 1648–1685

* Lucie von Løschebrand * 1657–1685: Maria Elisabeth von Haxthausen


Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel, 1670–1714

* 1677–1692: Juliane Elisabeth von Uffeln * 1695–1705: Dorothea Justina Haxthausen * 1705–1707: Sophie Dorothea von Schack von Marschalck * Louise Charlotte von Schlaberndorf


Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow, 1699–1721

* 1699–1716: Abel Cathrine Buchwald


Anne Sophie Reventlow Anne Sophie von Reventlow (; 16 April 1693 – 7 January 1743) was Queen of Denmark and Norway from 1721 to 1730 as the second wife of Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway. Early life Born in Clausholm castle, into an ancient House of Reventlow, ...
, 1721–1743

* Fru von Grabow


Sophie Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach, 1721–1770

* Beate Henriette af Reuss-Lobenstein


Louise of Great Britain Louise of Great Britain (originally Louisa; 1724 – 19 December 1751) was List of Danish consorts, Queen of Denmark and List of Norwegian consorts, Norway from 1746 until her death, as the first wife of Frederick V of Denmark, King Frederick V ...
, 1746–1751

* 1746–1751: Christiane Henriette Louise Juel (first term)


Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern (Danish: ''Juliane Marie''; 4 September 1729 – 10 October 1796) was List of Danish royal consorts, Queen of Denmark and List of Norwegian royal consorts, Norway from 1752 to 1766 as the second con ...
, 1752–1796

* 1752–1754: Christiane Henriette Louise Juel (second term) * 1757–1767: Karen Huitfeldt * 1772–1784: Margrethe von der Lühe * 1784–1793: Sophie Louise Holck-Winterfeldt


Caroline Matilda of Great Britain Caroline Matilda of Great Britain (; 1751 – 10 May 1775) was Queen of Denmark and Norway from 1766 to 1772 by marriage to King Christian VII. The youngest and posthumous daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Princess Augusta of Saxe-Go ...
, 1766–1775

* 1766–1768: Louise von Plessen * 1768–1768: Anne Sofie von Berckentin * 1768–1770: Margrethe von der Lühe * 1770–1772: Charlotte Elisabeth Henriette Holstein * 1772–1775: Cathrine Charlotte von der Horst


Marie of Hesse-Kassel, 1808–1852

* 1808–1823: ''Vacant'' * 1823–1839: Lucie Charlotte Sehestedt Juul * 1839–1852: ''Vacant''


Caroline Amalie of Augustenburg, 1839–1881

* 1839–1845: ''Vacant'' * 1845–1859: Ingeborg Christiane Rosenørn


Louise of Hesse-Kassel, 1863–1898

* 1864–1876: Ida Marie Bille * 1876–1888: Julia Adelaide Harriet Raben-Levetzau * 1888–1898: Louise Bille-Brahe (first term)


Louise of Sweden Louise of Sweden (; 31 October 1851 – 20 March 1926) was List of Danish royal consorts, Queen of Denmark from 1906 until 1912 as the wife of Frederick VIII of Denmark, King Frederick VIII. Born into the House of Bernadotte, Louise was the onl ...
, 1906–1926

* 1906–1910: Louise Bille-Brahe (second term)


Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 1912–1952

* 1912–1935: Louise Grevenkop-Castenskiold * 1935–1952: Inger Wedell


Chief court mistresses of Germany

The Austrian court model was the role model for the princely courts in Germany, and the post of Obersthofmeisterin, or only ''hofmeisterin'', existed in the princely (and later royal) German courts as well. The German court model in turn became the role model of the early modern Scandinavian courts of Denmark and Sweden. ; Chief court mistress to the queens of Prussia and empresses of Germany:


Sophia Louise of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 1708–1713

* Countess von Wittgenstein Valendar


Sophia Dorothea of Hanover, 1713–1757

* Sophie von Kameke * Susanna Magdalena Finck von Finckenstein


Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern, 1740–1797

* 1740–1742: Christiane von Katsch (the same position with the crown princess since 1733) * 1742–1766: Sophie Caroline von Camas * 1766–1797: Charlotte Albertine von Kannenberg


Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt, 1786–1805

*


Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Luise Auguste Wilhelmine Amalie; 10 March 1776 – 19 July 1810) was Queen of Prussia as the wife of King Frederick William III. The couple's happy, though short-lived, marriage produced nine children, inclu ...
, 1797–1810

* 1797–1810: Sophie Marie von Voß (the same position with the crown princess since 1793)


Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria, 1840–1873

* Wilhelmine van Reede-Ginkel


Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (Born ''Princess'' ''Maria Luise Augusta Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach''; 30 September 1811 – 7 January 1890), was Queen of Prussia and the first German Empress as the wife of William I, German Emperor. A ...
, 1861–1891

* Gabriele von Bülow


Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein Augusta Viktoria of Schleswig-Holstein (Auguste Viktoria Friederike Luise Feodora Jenny; 22 October 1858 – 11 April 1921) was the last German Empress and Queen of Prussia by marriage to Wilhelm II, German Emperor. Biography Early life and fa ...
, 1888–1918

* Therese von Brockdorff


Chief court mistresses of the Netherlands

In the 16th-century, the principal lady-in-waiting in the courts of the Habsburg governors of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria and
Mary of Hungary (governor of the Netherlands) Mary of Austria (15 September 1505 – 18 October 1558), also known as Mary of Hungary, was Queen of Hungary and Bohemia as the wife of King Louis II, and was later governor of the Habsburg Netherlands. The daughter of Queen Joanna and King ...
, was named ''hofmesterees'' ('Court mistress') or ''dame d'honneur''. The principal female office holder in the royal court of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands The Kingdom of the Netherlands (, ;, , ), commonly known simply as the Netherlands, is a sovereign state consisting of a collection of constituent territories united under the monarch of the Netherlands, who functions as head of state. The re ...
in the 19th century was named '' Grootmeesteres'' ('Grand Mistress').


Wilhelmine of Prussia, Queen of the Netherlands Wilhelmine of Prussia (Friederike Luise Wilhelmine; 18 November 1774 – 12 October 1837) was the first List of Dutch consorts, Queen of the Netherlands as the first wife of King William I of the Netherlands. She had a modest public role but acte ...
, 1815–1837

* 1818–1824: Agneta Margaretha Catharina Fagel-Boreel * 1823–1837: Sophie Wilhelmina barones van Heeckeren van Kell (1772–1847)


Anna Pavlovna of Russia, 1840–1865

* 1840–1844: Sophie Wilhelmina barones van Heeckeren van Kell (1772–1847) * 1844–1850: Rose Amour Caroline Aya Gislène(Zézette) Falck, geb. barones De Roisin (1792-1850) * 1850–1852: Johanna Philippina Hermanna barones van Knobelsdorff (1772–1860)


Sophie of Württemberg Sophie of Württemberg (Sophie Friederike Matilda; 17 June 1818 – 3 June 1877) was Queen of the Netherlands as the first wife of King William III. Sophie separated from William in 1855 but continued to perform her duties as queen in public. ...
, 1849–1877

* 1849–1858: Anna Maria Margaretha Deutz van Assendelft – Rendorp (1797–1858) * 1858–1878: Alida van der Oudermeulen barones van Wickevoort Crommelin (1806–1883)


Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, 1879–1934

* 1879–1894: Leopoldine Marie gravin van Limburg Stirum (1817–1894) * 1894–1909: Wilhelmina Elizabeth Charlotta gravin Van Lynden van Sandenburg (1869–1930)


Wilhelmina of the Netherlands Wilhelmina (; Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria; 31 August 1880 – 28 November 1962) was List of monarchs of the Netherlands, Queen of the Netherlands from 1890 until her abdication in 1948. She reigned for nearly 58 years, making her the longest- ...
, 1890–1962

* 1909–1938: Agneta Hendrika Groeninx van Zoelen-Van de Poll (1857–1933) * 1924–1938: Gerarda Cornelia barones van Nagell (1878–1946) * 1938–1954: Cornelie Marie, barones van Tuyll van Serooskerken


Juliana of the Netherlands Juliana (; Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina; 30 April 1909 – 20 March 2004) was Queen of the Netherlands from 1948 until her abdication in 1980. Juliana was the only child of Queen Wilhelmina and Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Sh ...
, 1948–2004

* 1954–1957: Adolphine Agneta barones Van Heeckeren van Molecaten-Groeninx van Zoelen (1885–1967)


Chief court mistresses of Norway

During the union of Sweden-Norway in 1814–1905, Sweden and Norway shared the same royal family. At that time, there were two Chief Court Mistress for the same queen: one as Queen of Sweden at the Swedish royal court when she lived in Sweden, and a separate Chief Court Mistress as Queen of Norway at the Norwegian royal court, who served in her post during the visits of the Swedish-Norwegian royal family to Norway. Presently, the ''overhoffmesterinne'' in Norway acts as a vice hostess at the Norwegian royal court when the queen and the other female members of the royal family are absent.


Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp (; 22 March 1759 – 20 June 1818) was the queen consort of Charles XIII of Sweden and II of Norway. She was also a famed diarist, memoirist and wit. She is known as ''Hedwig Elisabeth Charlo ...
, 1814–1818

* 1817–1818: Karen Wedel-Jarlsberg


Désirée Clary Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary (; 8 November 1777 – 17 December 1860) was Queen of Sweden and Norway from 5 February 1818 to 8 March 1844 as the wife of King Charles XIV John. Charles John was a French general and founder of the House o ...
, 1823–1861

* 1825–1844: Karen Wedel-Jarlsberg


Josephine of Leuchtenberg Josephine of Leuchtenberg (Joséphine Maximilienne Eugénie Napoléone de Beauharnais; 14 March 1807 – 7 June 1876), also Josefina, was Queen of Sweden and Norway from 8 March 1844 to 8 July 1859 as the wife of King Oscar I. She was also Pri ...
, 1844–1876

* 1844–1845: Karen Wedel-Jarlsberg * 1846–1859: Fanny Løvenskiold


Louise of the Netherlands, 1859–1871

* 1859–1871: Juliane Cathrine Wilhelmine Wedel Jarlsberg


Sophia of Nassau Sophia of Nassau (Sophia Wilhelmine Marianne Henriette; 9 July 1836 – 30 December 1913), also Sofia, was List of Swedish consorts, Queen of Sweden and List of Norwegian consorts, Norway as the wife of King Oscar II. She was Queen of Sweden ...
, 1872–1905

* 1873–1887: Alette Due * 1887–1905: Elise Løvenskiold


Maud of Wales Maud of Wales (Maud Charlotte Mary Victoria; 26 November 1869 – 20 November 1938) was Queen of Norway as the wife of King Haakon VII. The youngest daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom, she was known as Prin ...
, 1905–1938

* 1906–1925: Marie Magdalena Rustad * 1925–1927: Emma Stang * 1927–1938: Borghild Anker


Chief court mistresses of Russia

In 1722, the Russian Imperial court was reorganized in accordance with the reforms of Peter the Great to Westernize Russia, and the old court offices of the Tsarina was replaced with court offices inspired by the German model. Accordingly, the new principal lady in waiting of the Russian empress was named ''Ober-Hofmeisterin''.


Catherine I of Russia Catherine I Alekseyevna Mikhailova (born Marta Samuilovna Skavronskaya; – ) was the second wife and Empress consort of Peter the Great, whom she succeeded as Empress of Russia, ruling from 1725 until her death in 1727. Life as a servant Onl ...
, 1713–1725

* Matryona Balk * Agrippina Petrovna Volkonskaia * 1727-1727: Varvara Michajlovna Arsen'eva


Anna of Russia Anna Ioannovna (; ), also russified as Anna Ivanovna and sometimes anglicized as Anne, served as regent of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia from 1711 until 1730 and then ruled as Empress of Russia from 1730 to 1740. Much of her administratio ...
, 1730–1740

* 1730-1740: Tatyana Borisovna Golitsyna, spouse of Mikhail Mikhailovich Golitsyn (Field Marshal)


Elizabeth of Russia Elizabeth or Elizaveta Petrovna (; ) was Empress of Russia from 1741 until her death in 1762. She remains one of the most popular List of Russian rulers, Russian monarchs because of her decision not to execute a single person during her reign, ...
, 1741–1762

* 1741-1750: Tatyana Borisovna Golitsyna, spouse of Mikhail Mikhailovich Golitsyn (Field Marshal) * 1760-1762: Anna Vorontsova


Catherine II of Russia Catherine II. (born Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 172917 November 1796), most commonly known as Catherine the Great, was the reigning empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. She came to power after overthrowing her husband, Peter I ...
, 1762–1796

* 1762-1775: Anna Vorontsova * 1776-1788:
Maria Rumyantseva Countess Maria Andreyevna Rumyantseva née Matveyeva (1699–1788) was a Russian lady in waiting and alleged royal mistress of Tsar Peter the Great. Life She was the daughter of privy councilor of Count Andrey Matveyev (1666–1728) from his ...


Maria Feodorovna (Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg), 1796–1828

* 1796-1804: Anna Matyushkina


Elizabeth Alexeievna (Louise of Baden), 1801–1826

* 1823-1825: Alexandra Branitskaya


Alexandra Feodorovna (Charlotte of Prussia) Alexandra Feodorovna ( rus, Алекса́ндра Фёдоровна, p=ɐlʲɪˈksandrə ˈfjɵdərəvnə), born Princess Charlotte of Prussia (13 July 1798 – 1 November 1860), was Empress of Russia as the wife of Emperor Nicholas I (). ...
, 1825–1860

* 1825-1838: Alexandra Branitskaya


Maria Alexandrovna (Marie of Hesse and by Rhine), 1855–1880

* 1855–1863: Yekaterina Saltykov (in position since 1840)


Maria Feodorovna (Dagmar of Denmark) Maria Feodorovna (; 26 November 1847 – 13 October 1928), known before her marriage as Princess Dagmar of Denmark, was Empress of Russia from 1881 to 1894 as the wife of Emperor Alexander III. She was the fourth child and second daughter of ...
, 1881–1917

* 1881–1881: Princess Julia Kurakina (in position since 1866) * 1881–1888: Princess Hélene Kotchoubey * 1888–1906: Countess Anna Stroganoff


Alexandra Feodorovna (Alix of Hesse) Alexandra Feodorovna (, born Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine; 6 June 1872 – 17 July 1918) was the last Empress of Russia as the consort of Tsar Nicholas II from their marriage on until his forced abdication on . A granddaughter of Quee ...
, 1894–1917

* 1894–1910: Maria Golitzyna * 1910–1917: Elizaveta Narishkina


Chief court mistresses of Sweden

In Sweden, the Chief Court Mistress is the second highest-ranking official of the royal household, preceded only by the Marshal of the Realm. She ranks immediately below the members of the
royal family A royal family is the immediate family of monarchs and sometimes their extended family. The term imperial family appropriately describes the family of an emperor or empress, and the term papal family describes the family of a pope, while th ...
, the speaker of the Parliament and the
prime minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...
, and has precedence over former speakers of the Parliament and former prime ministers. The incumbent is Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke, who has served from 2016. The title and position have changed over time. Before the reign of Queen Christina (1632–1654), the title was generally referred to as ''hovmästarinna'' (Court Mistress), but during and after the reign of Christina, it became the custom to have two such Court mistresses subordinate to one ''överhovmästarinna'' (Chief Court Mistress).Fabian Persson (1999). Servants of Fortune. The Swedish court between 1598 and 1721. Lund: Wallin & Dalholm. Only the Queen and the Queen Dowager had a Chief Court Mistress called ''överhovmästarinna'' (the Chief Court Mistress) while the equivalent at the courts of other female members of the royal house was called ''hovmästarinna'' (Court Mistress). The position was the highest a female courtier could have in the Swedish royal court, and the ''överhovmästarinna'' was ranked an
Excellency Excellency is an honorific style (manner of address), style given to certain high-level officers of a sovereign state, officials of an international organization, or members of an aristocracy. Once entitled to the title "Excellency", the holder ...
, something unusual for a woman in the 17th century, which placed her immediately after the female members of the royal house in rank. Her role was to uphold etiquette at court, and receive and carry out the instructions of the Queen in the management of the court. She managed the employment of new members to the court of the Queen, and every meeting and letter to the Queen passed through her. She also managed the ceremony of the court presentation, in which nobles were presented to the royal family and thus allowed to show themselves officially at court. She could also represent the Queen on some occasions at court ceremonies and parties as hostess.


Catherine Stenbock, 1552–1621

* 1552–1568:
Anna Hogenskild Anna Klemetsdotter Hogenskild (1513–1590), also known as ''fru Anna till Åkerö'' ('lady Anna of Åkerö') and ''fru Anna till Hedensö'' ('lady Anna of Hedensö'), was a Swedish court official and landowner. She served as ''hovmästarinna'' to ...


Karin Månsdotter Karin Månsdotter (in English Catherine; 6 November 1550 – 13 September 1612) was first the Mistress (lover), mistress and then the queen consort of King Erik XIV of Sweden. Early life Karin was born in Stockholm to a soldier and later pri ...
, 1567–1568

* 1567–1569:
Elin Andersdotter Elin Andersdotter (died 1569), was a Swedish courtier. She served as Chief Court Mistress to queen Karin Månsdotter of Sweden. She is known for being a leading actor in the 1569 Plot to free and reinstate the imprisoned and deposed king Erik XI ...


Catherine Jagellon, 1568–1583

* 1568–1583: Karin Gyllenstierna


Gunilla Bielke, 1585–1597

* 1587–1592: Kerstin Oxenstierna


Christina of Holstein-Gottorp, 1604–1625

* 1604–1608: Carin Ulfsdotter Snakeborg * 1608–1612: Gunilla Jönsdotter Struss * 1612–1619: Carin Kyle


Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg, 1620–1655

* 1620–1623: Hebbla Eriksdotter Stålarm * Catharina von Schnideck * Regina Catharina von Windisch-Grätz * 1628–1633: Brita Gylta * 1633–1634: Ebba Leijonhufvud * 1634–1639: Elisabeth Gyllenstierna * 1639–1640: Christina Posse *''1640–1649: Vacant'' * 1649–1655: Görvel Posse


Christina, Queen of Sweden Christina (; 18 December O.S. 8 December">Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="nowiki/>Old Style and New Style dates">O.S. 8 December1626 – 19 April 1689), a member of the House of Vasa, was Monarchy of Sweden, Queen of Sweden from ...
, 1632–1654

During the reign of Christina, the office was often shared by several people. * 1633–1634: Ebba Leijonhufvud * 1634–1639: Elisabeth Gyllenstierna * 1639–1642: Ebba Ryning ''(jointly with Beata Oxenstierna)'' * 1639–1647: Beata Oxenstierna ''(jointly with Ebba Ryning)'' * 1644–1648:
Margareta Brahe Margareta Abrahamsdotter Brahe (28 June 1603, Rydboholm – 15 May 1669, Weferlingen) was a Swedish aristocrat and court official, Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg by marriage to Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg. She aroused a lot of attentio ...
''(jointly with Kerstin Bååt)'' * 1645–1650: Kerstin Bååt ''(jointly with Margareta Brahe)'' * 1650: Barbro Fleming ''(jointly with Maria Sofia De la Gardie)'' * 1651–1654: Maria Sofia De la Gardie ''(jointly with Barbro Fleming)''


Hedvig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp (23 October 1636 – 24 November 1715) was List of Swedish consorts, Queen of Sweden from 1654 until 1660 as the wife of King Charles X Gustav. She served as regent during the minority of her son, King Charles ...
, 1654–1715

* 1655–1660: Elisabet Carlsdotter Gyllenhielm * 1660–1664: Görwel Bååt * 1664–1671: Görvel Posse * 1671–1686: Occa Maria Johanna von Riperda * 1686–1715: Märta Berendes (equivalent position at the court of the princesses in 1687–1717)


Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark, 1680–1693

* 1680–1693: Maria Elisabeth Stenbock


Ulrika Eleonora 1718–1741

* 1717–1736: Katarina Ebba Horn af Åminne * 1736–1741:
Hedvig Elisabet Strömfelt Hedvig Elisabet Strömfelt (née Wrangel; 1687 — 8 March 1751) was a Swedish courtier. She served as överhovmästarinna to two queens of Sweden, Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, and as Royal Governess to the royal child ...
(equivalent position to the Crown princess in 1744–1751)


Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, 1751–1782

* 1751–1751:
Hedvig Elisabet Strömfelt Hedvig Elisabet Strömfelt (née Wrangel; 1687 — 8 March 1751) was a Swedish courtier. She served as överhovmästarinna to two queens of Sweden, Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, and as Royal Governess to the royal child ...
* 1751–1754: Ulla Tessin * 1754–1761: Ulrica Catharina Stromberg * 1761–1765: Ulrika Juliana Gyllenstierna * 1765–1771: Brita Stina Sparre * 1771–1782: Fredrika Eleonora von Düben


Sophia Magdalena of Denmark, 1771–1813

* 1771–1777: Anna Maria Hjärne * 1777–1780: Ulrika Strömfelt * 1780–1795: Charlotta Sparre * 1795–1813: Hedvig Eva De la Gardie


Frederica of Baden Frederica of Baden (Frederica Dorothea Wilhelmina; 12 March 1781 – 25 September 1826) was List of Swedish royal consorts, Queen of Sweden from 1797 to 1809 as the Queen consort, consort of King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden, Gustav IV Adolf. Life ...
, 1797–1809

* 1795–1805: Hedvig Catharina Piper * 1805–1810: Lovisa Sophia von Fersen


Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp (; 22 March 1759 – 20 June 1818) was the queen consort of Charles XIII of Sweden and II of Norway. She was also a famed diarist, memoirist and wit. She is known as ''Hedwig Elisabeth Charlo ...
, 1809–1818

* 1809–1810: Lovisa Sophia von Fersen * 1811–1818: Christina Charlotta Stjerneld * 1818–1818: Caroline Lewenhaupt * 1818–1818: Charlotta Aurora De Geer


Désirée Clary Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary (; 8 November 1777 – 17 December 1860) was Queen of Sweden and Norway from 5 February 1818 to 8 March 1844 as the wife of King Charles XIV John. Charles John was a French general and founder of the House o ...
, 1823–1861

* 1823–1829: Marcelle Tascher de la Pagerie * 1829–1844: Vilhelmina Gyldenstolpe


Josephine of Leuchtenberg Josephine of Leuchtenberg (Joséphine Maximilienne Eugénie Napoléone de Beauharnais; 14 March 1807 – 7 June 1876), also Josefina, was Queen of Sweden and Norway from 8 March 1844 to 8 July 1859 as the wife of King Oscar I. She was also Pri ...
, 1844–1876

* 1844–1866: Charlotta Skjöldebrand


Louise of the Netherlands, 1859–1872

* 1859–1860: Stefanie Hamilton * 1860–1869: Wilhelmina Bonde * 1871–1872: Anne-Malène Wachtmeister


Sophia of Nassau Sophia of Nassau (Sophia Wilhelmine Marianne Henriette; 9 July 1836 – 30 December 1913), also Sofia, was List of Swedish consorts, Queen of Sweden and List of Norwegian consorts, Norway as the wife of King Oscar II. She was Queen of Sweden ...
, 1872–1907

* 1872–1879: Elisabet Augusta Piper * 1880–1890: Malvina De la Gardie * 1890–1907: Ebba Åkerhielm


Victoria of Baden, 1907–1931

* 1907–1908: ''Vacant'' * 1908–1931: Augusta Lewenhaupt


Louise Mountbatten Louise Alexandra Marie Irene Mountbatten (born Princess Louise of Battenberg; 13 July 1889 – 7 March 1965) was Queen of Sweden from 29 October 1950 until her death in 1965 as the wife of King Gustaf VI Adolf. Born a princess of the German ...
, 1950–1965

* 1950–1956: Louise Rålamb * 1956–1973: Astrid RudebeckGustaf Elgenstierna, Den introducerade svenska adelns ättartavlor. 1925-36.


Silvia Sommerlath, 1976–Present

* 1994–2015: Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister * 2015–Present'': Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke''


See also

*
Mistress of the Robes The mistress of the robes was the senior lady in the Royal Household of the United Kingdom, who would, by appointment, attend on the Queen (whether queen regnant or a queen consort). Queens dowager retained their own mistresses of the robes. In ...
, British equivalent * Camarera mayor de Palacio, Spanish equivalent * Première dame d'honneur, French equivalent * Surintendante de la Maison de la Reine, French equivalent


References

{{DEFAULTSORT: Court titles Royal households Danish courtiers German courtiers Swedish courtiers Austrian courtiers Austrian monarchy Monarchy of Denmark Monarchy of Sweden Swedish court titles Danish court titles