State Opening of Parliament 2008 VII (3082930784)

Lady of the Bedchamber is the title of a

lady-in-waiting A lady-in-waiting or court lady is a female personal assistant at a court, attending on a royal woman or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe, a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman but of lower rank than the woman to whom sh ...

holding the official position of personal attendant on a British

queen regnant A queen regnant (plural: queens regnant) is a female monarch, equivalent in rank and title to a king, who reigns ''suo jure'' (in her own right) over a realm known as a "kingdom"; as opposed to a queen consort, who is the wife of a reignin ...

or queen consort. The position is traditionally held by the wife of a peer. They are ranked between the

Mistress of the Robes The mistress of the robes was the senior lady in the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. Formerly responsible for the queen consort's/regnant's clothes and jewellery (as the name implies), the post had the responsibility for arranging the rota ...

and the

Women of the Bedchamber In the Royal Household of the United Kingdom the term Woman of the Bedchamber is used to describe a woman (usually a daughter of a peer) attending either a queen regnant or queen consort, in the role of lady-in-waiting. Historically the term 'G ...

; unlike the latter they are not in regular attendance, however they are on duty for the more important public occasions. On overseas visits Queen Elizabeth II was usually accompanied by two ladies-in-waiting, one of whom was usually a Lady of the Bedchamber. The equivalent title and office has historically been used in most European royal courts (Dutch: ''Dames du Palais''; French: ''Dames'' or ''

Dame de Palais The Dame du Palais, originally only Dame, was an historical office in the Royal Court of France. It was a title of a lady-in-waiting holding the official position of personal attendant on a female member of the French Royal Family. The position ...

''; German: '' Hofstaatsdame'' or '' Palastdame''; Italian: '' Dame di Corte''; Russian: '' Hofdame'' or '' Statsdame''; Spanish: '' Dueña de honor''; Swedish: ''

Statsfru A lady-in-waiting or court lady is a female personal assistant at a court, attending on a royal woman or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe, a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman but of lower rank than the woman to whom sh ...

'').

History

In the Middle Ages, Margaret of France, the wife of King Edward I of England, is noted to have had seven ladies of the bedchamber: the three married ones were called ''Dominæ'' and the four unmarried ones were known as

maids of honour A maid of honour is a junior attendant of a queen in royal households. The position was and is junior to the lady-in-waiting. The equivalent title and office has historically been used in most European royal courts. Role Traditionally, a queen ...

. Their task was simply to act as the companions (see

lady's companion A lady's companion was a woman of genteel birth who lived with a woman of rank or wealth as Affinity (medieval), retainer. The term was in use in the United Kingdom from at least the 18th century to the mid-20th century but it is now archaism, arch ...

) and personal attendants to the royal woman. In a description from 1728, the task of the Ladies of the Bedchamber was to act as the go-between for the queen and the

, who had the task to wait upon the queen by helping her wash, dress and undress, and so forth. A Woman of the Bedchamber worked independently from a Lady of the Bedchamber and did not take orders from her. However, if a Lady of the Bedchamber was present, a Woman of the Bedchamber would always defer to her. If a Lady of the Bedchamber was present when a Woman of the Bedchamber arrived to dress the queen, for example, she would not dress the queen herself, but instead give the garments to the Lady of the Bedchamber, who in turn helped the queen put it on. The procedure was the same in other issues. The post of a Lady of the Bedchamber was considered prestigious, and the appointments have therefore been subjected to controversies. Queen Anne appointed

Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, Princess of Mindelheim, Countess of Nellenburg (née Jenyns, spelt Jennings in most modern references; 5 June 1660 (Old Style) – 18 October 1744), was an English courtier who rose to be one of th ...

, to this position; the Duchess was widely considered an influential royal

favourite A favourite (British English) or favorite (American English) was the intimate companion of a ruler or other important person. In post-classical and early-modern Europe, among other times and places, the term was used of individuals delegated si ...

. In 1839, concerns that Queen Victoria was determined to surround herself with wives of Whig politicians led to the

Bedchamber crisis The Bedchamber crisis occurred on 7 May 1839 after Whig politician William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne declared his intention to resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after a government bill passed by a very narrow margin of only five ...

, preventing the installation of a Tory government under

Robert Peel Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet, (5 February 1788 – 2 July 1850) was a British Conservative statesman who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1834–1835 and 1841–1846) simultaneously serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer ...

List of Ladies of the Bedchamber to the Queens of England

This is an ''incomplete'' list of those who have served as Lady of the Bedchamber in the English Royal Household.

Catherine of Aragon Catherine of Aragon (also spelt as Katherine, ; 16 December 1485 – 7 January 1536) was Queen of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII from their marriage on 11 June 1509 until their annulment on 23 May 1533. She was previously ...
, 1509–1536

* Anne Bourchier, Lady Dacre of the South * Margaret Brent (?), Lady Bergavenny * Mabel Dacre, Lady Scrope * Mary Grey, Lady Ferrers of Chartley * Lady Anne Percy, Lady Maltravers, Countess of Arundel * Inez de Venegas, Lady Mountjoy ( Lord Mountjoy’s 2nd wife) * Elizabeth Willoughby, Lady Maltravers

Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. Elizabeth was the last of the five House of Tudor monarchs and is sometimes referred to as the "Virgin Queen". El ...
, 1558–1603

*1558–1565: Katherine Ashley (''née'' Champernowne), Lady Ashley *1559–1569:

Catherine Carey, Lady Knollys Catherine Carey, after her marriage Catherine Knollys and later known as both Lady Knollys and Dame Catherine Knollys, (c. 1522 – 15 January 1569), was chief Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I, who was her first cousin. Biography ...

, also 1st Cousin or half-Sister to Elizabeth I *1564: Catherine Paget, Baroness of Beaudesert *1568–1599:

Elizabeth Stafford Elizabeth Stafford, also known as Dame Elizabeth Drury and – in the years prior to her death in 1599 – Dame (Lady) Elizabeth Scott, was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I. She and her first husband, Sir William Drury, entertained ...

*1587 Frances Newton, Baroness Cobham

Anne of Denmark, 1603–1619

Anne of Denmark Anne of Denmark (; 12 December 1574 – 2 March 1619) was the wife of King James VI and I; as such, she was Queen of Scotland The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the constitutional fo ...

was Queen Consort to

James I of England 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 King of Ireland, Ireland as James I from the Union of the Crowns, union of the Scottish and Eng ...

. * 1603–1619:

Lucy Russell, Countess of Bedford Lucy Russell, Countess of Bedford ( Harington; 1580–1627) was a major aristocratic patron of the arts and literature in the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, the primary non-royal performer in contemporary court masques, a letter-writer, and a ...

* 1603–1607:

Penelope Blount, Countess of Devonshire Penelope Rich, Lady Rich, later styled Penelope Blount (''née'' Devereux; January 1563 – 7 July 1607) was an English court office holder. She served as lady-in-waiting to the English queen Anne of Denmark. She was the sister of Robert Devereu ...

* 1603–1619:

Anne Livingstone, Countess of Eglinton Anne Livingstone, Countess of Eglinton (died 1632) was a Scottish courtier and aristocrat, and lady-in-waiting to Princess Elizabeth and Anne of Denmark. Anne Livingstone was a daughter of Alexander Livingstone, 1st Earl of Linlithgow and Helenor ...

* 1603–1619:

Elizabeth Schaw, Countess of Annandale Elizabeth Schaw (died 1640) was a Scottish courtier. Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir John Schaw of Broich and Arngomery, a niece of William Schaw, and a lady-in-waiting to Anne of Denmark. Another Elizabeth Schaw, a cousin, the wife of Henry Li ...

* 1603–1617: Jean Drummond, Countess of Roxburghe * 1603–1619:

Bridget Annesley Bridget Annesley ( fl. 1610-1630) was a courtier to Anne of Denmark, wife of James VI and I. Bridget Annesley was a daughter of Robert Annesley of Rathverd or Rathuard and Newport Pagnell, an undertaker of the plantations in Munster, and Beatri ...

* 1603–1609:

Cecily Bulstrode Cecily Bulstrode (15844 August 1609) was a courtier and subject of poetry. She was the daughter of Edward Bulstrode (1550–1595) and Cecily Croke; she was a cousin of Lucy Russell, Countess of Bedford, in whose household she was a member in 1605. ...

* 1603–1619: Dorothy Bulstrode * 1604–1609: Bridget Markham * 1603–1618: Jane Meautys * 1604–1619: Mary Middlemore * 1608–1619: Dorothy Silken

Henrietta Maria of France, 1625–1649

Henrietta Maria Henrietta Maria (french: link=no, Henriette Marie; 25 November 1609 – 10 September 1669) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland from her marriage to King Charles I on 13 June 1625 until Charles was executed on 30 January 1649. She wa ...

was Queen Consort to

Charles I of England Charles I (19 November 1600 – 30 January 1649) was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until Execution of Charles I, his execution in 1649. He was born into the House of Stuart as the second son of King James VI of ...

. * c. 1625: Elizabeth Conquest (''née'' Thimbelby), daughter of Sir Richard Thimelby of

Irnham __NOTOC__ Irnham is a village and civil parish in South Kesteven, Lincolnshire, England. It is situated approximately south-east from Grantham. To the north is Ingoldsby and to the south-west, Corby Glen. The village is on a high limes ...

, married Sir Richard Conquest of

Houghton Conquest Houghton Conquest is a village and civil parish located in the Central Bedfordshire district of Bedfordshire, England. The parish also includes the hamlet of How End. History Historically in the hundred of Redbornestoke, the name of the village ...

* 1626: Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle

Catherine of Braganza, 1662–1692

Catherine of Braganza Catherine of Braganza ( pt, Catarina de Bragança; 25 November 1638 – 31 December 1705) was List of English royal consorts, Queen of England, List of Scottish royal consorts, Scotland and Ireland during her marriage to Charles II of England, ...

was Queen Consort to

Charles II of England Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651, and King of England, Scotland and Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death in 1685. Charles II was the eldest surviving child of ...

*1663–1667:

Katherine Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield Katherine Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield (1609–1667) was an English courtier who was the governess and confidante of Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange, and the first woman to hold the office of Postmaster General of England. O ...

*1663–1673: Barbara Palmer, Countess of Castlemaine *1663–1681:

Barbara Howard, Countess of Suffolk Barbara Howard, Countess of Suffolk ( Villiers; May/June 1622 – 13 December 1680), formerly Lady Wentworth, was an English courtier and the wife of James Howard, 3rd Earl of Suffolk. She served as First Lady of the Bedchamber for the queen ...

*1663–1688:

Mary Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham Mary Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham ( Fairfax; 30 July 1638 – 20 October 1704),G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, ...

*1663–1688:

Jane Granville, Countess of Bath Jane Granville, Countess of Bath ( Wyche; 1630 – 3 February 1692), was the wife of John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath, and the mother of the 2nd Earl. She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Catherine of Braganza, the queen consort of King Charles ...

Mary of Modena, 1673–1688

Mary of Modena Mary of Modena ( it, Maria Beatrice Eleonora Anna Margherita Isabella d'Este; ) was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland as the second wife of James II and VII. A devout Roman Catholic, Mary married the widower James, who was then the young ...

was Queen Consort to

James II of England James VII and II (14 October 1633 16 September 1701) was King of England and King of Ireland as James II, and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II, on 6 February 1685. He was deposed in the Gloriou ...

Elizabeth Herbert, Marchioness of Powis Elizabeth Herbert, Marchioness of Powis (c.1634 – 16 March 1691), formerly Lady Elizabeth Somerset, was an English court official and noblewoman, the wife of William Herbert, 1st Marquess of Powis. She was the daughter of Edward Somerset, 2 ...

Mary II Mary II (30 April 166228 December 1694) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, co-reigning with her husband, William III & II, from 1689 until her death in 1694. Mary was the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York, and his first wife ...
, 1689–1694

* 1689–1694 : Mary Sackville, Countess of Dorset (1669–1691)http://courtofficers.ctsdh.luc.edu/MaryII.list.pdf * 1689–1694 : Gertrude Savile, Marchioness of Hallifax * 1689–1694 : Frances Lumley, Viscountess Lumley * 1689–1694 : Elizabeth Windsor, Countess of Plymouth * 1689–1694 : Frances Paulet, Countess of Wiltshire * 1691–1694 : Anne Finch, Countess of Nottingham

List of Ladies of the Bedchamber to the Queens of Great Britain

Anne Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female given name Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie. Anne is sometimes used as a male name in the ...
, 1702–1714

*1702: Mary Butler, Duchess of Ormonde *1702: Marchioness of Hartington *1702: Juliana Boyle, Countess of Burlington *1702: Countess of Scarbrough *1702–1712: Lady Spencer *1702:

Elizabeth Seymour, Duchess of Somerset Elizabeth Seymour, Duchess of Somerset and ''suo jure'' Baroness Percy (26 January 1667 – 23/24 November 1722) was an English heiress. She was styled Lady Elizabeth Percy between 1667 and 1679, Countess of Ogle between 1679 and 1681, Lady E ...

*1702: Lady Hyde *1702: Lady Frescheville *1702: Lady H. Godolphin *1702–1705: Anne Venables-Bertie, Countess of Abingdon *1702: Lady C. Boeverwart *1704–1714:

Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham (née Hill; 6 December 1734), was an English courtier. She was a favourite of Queen Anne, and a cousin of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. Life Early life Abigail Hill was the daughter of Francis Hill, a London m ...

*1704–1712: Anne Spencer, Countess of Sunderland *1712–1714: Anne Venables-Bertie, Countess of Abingdon *1712: Lady Catharine Hyde

Caroline of Ansbach, 1714–1737

Caroline of Ansbach , father = John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach , mother = Princess Eleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe-Eisenach , birth_date = , birth_place = Ansbach, Principality of Ansbach, Holy Roman Empire , death_date = , death_place = St James's Pala ...

was Queen Consort to

George II of Great Britain , house = Hanover , religion = Protestant , father = George I of Great Britain , mother = Sophia Dorothea of Celle , birth_date = 30 October / 9 November 1683 , birth_place = Herrenhausen Palace,Cannon. or Leine ...

*1714–1717:

Louisa Berkeley, Countess of Berkeley Louisa Berkeley, Countess of Berkeley (24 December 1694 – 15 January 1716), formerly Lady Louisa Lennox, was the first wife of James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley. She was the older daughter of Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond, and his wi ...

*1714–1717 & 1726:

Diana Beauclerk, Duchess of St Albans Diana Beauclerk, Duchess of St Albans (c. 1679–15 January 1742), born Lady Diana de Vere, was a British courtier. She was Mistress of the Robes to Caroline, Princess of Wales from 1714 to 1717. She was one of the Hampton Court Beauties o ...

*1714–1717:

Henrietta Paulet, Duchess of Bolton Henrietta Paulet, Duchess of Bolton ( Crofts; – 27 February 1730), was the third wife of Charles Paulet, 2nd Duke of Bolton. The elder daughter of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, by his mistress Eleanor Needham, Henrietta took the surname ...

*1714–1717: Mary Montagu, Duchess of Montagu *1714–1724: Mary Cowper, Countess Cowper *1714–1726:

Adelhida Talbot, Duchess of Shrewsbury Adelhida Talbot (née Paleotti; 24 July 1660 – 29 June 1726) was a British court official and noble, the wife of Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury. She was the daughter of the Marchese Andrea Paleotti and his wife Christina (née Dudle ...

*1714–1737:

Elizabeth Sackville, Duchess of Dorset Elizabeth Sackville, Duchess of Dorset (c. 1689 – 12 June 1768), formerly Elizabeth Colyear, was a British court official and noble, the wife of Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset. She was the daughter of Lieutenant-General Walter Colyear (wh ...

*1717–1717:

Elizabeth Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (s ...

*1718–1721: Barbara Herbert, Countess of Pembroke *1718–1724:

Henrietta d'Auverquerque, Countess of Grantham Henrietta d'Auverquerque, Countess of Grantham (died 11 October 1724), formerly Lady Henrietta Butler, was an English noblewoman and the wife of Henry de Nassau d'Auverquerque, 1st Earl of Grantham. History Henrietta was the youngest daughte ...

*1718–1737:

Elizabeth Hervey, Countess of Bristol Elizabeth Hervey, Countess of Bristol (18 December 1676 – 1 May 1741), was a British court official and noble, the second wife of John Hervey, 1st Earl of Bristol. They had seventeen children. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Felton, 4t ...

*1718–1720: Anne Scott, Countess of Deloraine *1722–1722:

Jane Capell, Countess of Essex Jane Capell, Countess of Essex (1694 – January 1724), previously Lady Jane Hyde, was a British court official, the first wife of William Capell, 3rd Earl of Essex. She was the daughter of Henry Hyde, 4th Earl of Clarendon, and his wife, the ...

*1724–1737: Frances Seymour, Countess of Hertford *1724–1737:

Sarah Lennox, Duchess of Richmond Sarah Lennox, Duchess of Richmond (née Cadogan; 18 September 1705 – 25 August 1751), was Lady of the Bedchamber to Caroline of Ansbach, Queen Caroline from 1724 to 1737. She was the mother of the famous Lennox sisters. Early life She was bor ...

*1725–1737:

Anne van Keppel, Countess of Albemarle Anne van Keppel (24 June 1703 – 20 October 1789) born Lady Anne Lennox, was a British court official and noble, the daughter of the 1st Duke of Richmond and Anne Brudenell. Her father Charles was an illegitimate child of King Charles II, t ...

*1725–1737: Henrietta Fermor, Countess of Pomfret *1725–1737: Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke (extra) *1727–1737:

Henrietta Louisa Fermor Henrietta Louisa Fermor, Countess of Pomfret (''née'' Jeffreys; 15 November 1698 – 15 December 1761), was an English letter writer. Life She was born in 1698 in Leicester Square, London, the only surviving child of John Jeffreys, 2nd Baron Jef ...

*?–1737: Dorothy Boyle, Countess of Cork (extra)

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 1761–1818

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Sophia Charlotte; 19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818) was Queen of Great Britain and of Ireland as the wife of King George III from their marriage on 8 September 1761 until the union of the two kingdoms ...

was Queen Consort to King George III of Great Britain *1761–1768:

Diana St John, Viscountess Bolingbroke Lady Diana Beauclerk (''née'' Lady Diana Spencer; other married name Diana St John, Viscountess Bolingbroke; 24 March 1734 – 1 August 1808) was an English noblewoman and artist. Early life Beauclerk was born into the Spencer family as the da ...

*1761–1770:

Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Northumberland Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Northumberland (''née'' Wriothesley; 1646 – 19 September 1690), was a British courtier. She was one of the Windsor Beauties, painted by Sir Peter Lely. Origins She was a daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Ea ...

(Duchess of Northumberland from 1766) *1761–1784: Elizabeth Campbell, Duchess of Hamilton (Duchess of Argyll from 1770) *1761–1791:

Elizabeth Howard, Countess of Effingham Elizabeth Howard, Countess of Effingham (died 12 October 1791), formerly Elizabeth Beckford, was the wife of Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham, and the mother of both Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham, and Richard Howard, 4th Earl of Effi ...

*1761–1793:

Elizabeth Thynne, Viscountess Weymouth Elizabeth Thynne, Viscountess Weymouth (c.1711 – 19 June 1729), formerly Lady Elizabeth Sackville, was the wife of Thomas Thynne, 2nd Viscount Weymouth. Elizabeth was the eldest daughter of Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset, and his wife Eli ...

(Marchioness of Bath from 1789) *1761–1794:

Alicia Wyndham, Countess of Egremont Alicia Wyndham, Countess of Egremont (c.1726 – 1 June 1794), formerly the Hon. Alicia Maria Carpenter, was the wife of Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont. She was the daughter of George Carpenter, 2nd Baron Carpenter of Killaghy, a so ...

*1768–1782:

Isabella Seymour, Countess of Hertford Isabella Seymour-Conway ( Fitzroy; 1726 – 10 November 1782), was the wife of Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford. She was the daughter of Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton, and thus descended in the illegitimate line from ...

*1770–1801:

Mary Darcy, Countess of Holderness Mary Darcy, Countess of Holderness (c.1721 – 13 October 1801), formerly Mary Doublet, was the wife of Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holderness. Mary was the daughter of Francis Doublet and Constantia Van-der-Beck. She married the earl on 29 Oc ...

*1783–1818:

Elizabeth Herbert, Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

*1784–1818:

Elizabeth Harcourt, Countess Harcourt Elizabeth Harcourt, Countess Harcourt née Venables-Vernon (1747–1826) was a British courtier.Fitzgerald, Percy: The Good Queen Charlotte' Life Elizabeth Harcourt was the daughter of George Venables-Vernon, 1st Baron Vernon (1709–1780) and M ...

*1791–1818: Elizabeth Townshend, Viscountess Sydney *1793–1807: Elizabeth Brudenell, Countess of Cardigan *1794–1818:

Jane Stanhope, Countess of Harrington Jane Stanhope, Countess of Harrington (née Fleming; 23 May 1755 – 3 February 1824), was a society hostess and heiress who served as a lady of the Bedchamber to the British queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Early life Jane Fleming wa ...

*1801–1818:

Mary Parker, Countess of Macclesfield Mary Frances Parker, Countess of Macclesfield (c.1761 – 1 January 1823), formerly Mary Drake, was the wife of George Parker, 4th Earl of Macclesfield. Mary was the daughter of the Reverend Thomas Drake, rector of Amersham, who claimed desc ...

*1807–1813: Henrietta Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield *1813–1818:

Anne Dundas, Viscountess Melville Anne Dundas, Viscountess Melville (died 10 September 1841), formerly Anne Saunders (or Huck-Saunders), was the wife of Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville, and was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George ...

List of Ladies of the Bedchamber to the Queens of the United Kingdom

Caroline of Brunswick, 1795–1821

Caroline of Brunswick Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (Caroline Amelia Elizabeth; 17 May 1768 – 7 August 1821) was Queen of the United Kingdom and Hanover from 29 January 1820 until her death in 1821, being the estranged wife of King George IV. She was Pr ...

was the wife of George, Prince of Wales, Prince Regent and from 1820 Queen Consort to

George IV of the United Kingdom George IV (George Augustus Frederick; 12 August 1762 – 26 June 1830) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from the death of his father, King George III, on 29 January 1820, until his own death ten y ...

. They separated in 1796 and she died in 1821. *1795–1796:

Frances Villiers, Countess of Jersey Frances Villiers, Countess of Jersey (''née'' Twysden; 25 February 1753 – 23 July 1821) was a British Lady of the Bedchamber, one of the more notorious of the many mistresses of King George IV when he was Prince of Wales, "a scintillating ...

*1795–1821: Countess of Carnarvon *1795–1821: Marchioness Townshend *1795–1802: Countess Cholmondeley *1808–1817: Lady Charlotte Lindsay *1809–1821: Lady Charlotte Campbell *1809–1813 & 1820–1821: Lady Ann Hamilton

Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, 1830–1837

Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen , house = Saxe-Meiningen , father = Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen , mother = Princess Louise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg , birth_date = , birth_place = Meiningen, Saxe-Meiningen, Holy ...

was Queen Consort to

William IV of the United Kingdom William IV (William Henry; 21 August 1765 – 20 June 1837) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death in 1837. The third son of George III, William succeeded h ...

*1830–1837:

Emily Nugent, Marchioness of Westmeath Emily Nugent, Marchioness of Westmeath (14 July 1789 – 21 January 1858), formerly Lady Emily Anne Bennet Elizabeth Cecil, was the first wife of George Nugent, 1st Marquess of Westmeath. Emily was one of the three daughters of James Cecil, 1s ...

*1830–1837: Arabella Bourke, Countess of Mayo *1830–1849: Marianne Wellesley, Countess of Mornington *1830–1834: Anna Loftus, Marchioness of Ely (extra 1834–1837) *1830–1837: Emma Brownlow, Countess Brownlow *1830–1837: Lady Harriet Clinton *1833–1836: Harriet Howe, Countess Howe *1836–1837: Harriet Holroyd, Countess of Sheffield

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...
, 1837–1901

*1837–1838: Louisa Petty-FitzMaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne *1837–1838: Louisa Lambton, Countess of Durham *1837–1841: Maria Phipps, Marchioness of Normanby *1837–1841:

Anna Russell, Duchess of Bedford Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford (3 September 1783 – 3 July 1857) was a lifelong friend of Queen Victoria, whom she served as a Lady of the Bedchamber between 1837 and 1841.

*1837–1842:

Sarah Lyttelton, Baroness Lyttelton Sarah Lyttelton, Baroness Lyttelton ( Spencer; 29 July 1787 – 13 April 1870) was a British courtier, governess to Edward VII of the United Kingdom, and wife of William Lyttelton, 3rd Baron Lyttelton. Early life and family Lady Sarah Spencer was ...

, then Governess (Lady Superintendent) of the Royal Children 1842–1850. *1837–1842:

Frances Noel, Countess of Gainsborough Frances Noel, Countess of Gainsborough (''née'' Jocelyn; 20 November 1814 – 12 May 1885) was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria. Early life and family Frances Noel was a daughter of Robert Jocelyn, 3rd Earl of Roden and his wife, th ...

*1837–1851:

Emma Portman, Baroness Portman Emma Portman, Baroness Portman ''née'' Lascelles; (16 March 1809 – 8 February 1865) was a British aristocrat. She was the daughter of Henry Lascelles, 2nd Earl of Harewood and Henrietta Sebright. She married Edward Portman, son of Edward B ...

*1837–1854: Anne Caulfield, Countess of Charlemont *1838–1840: Blanche Cavendish, Countess of Burlington *1839-1839:

Elizabeth Campbell, Marchioness of Breadalbane Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sc ...

*1839–1842:

Mary Montagu, Countess of Sandwich Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...

*1840–1854 & 1863–1865: Carolina Edgcumbe, Countess of Mount Edgcumbe *1841–1845: Catherine Murray, Countess of Dunmore *1841–1867: Frances Jocelyn, Viscountess Jocelyn (extra 1867–1880) *1842–1842: Susan Broun-Ramsay, Countess of Dalhousie *1842–1843:

Charlotte Fitzalan-Howard, Duchess of Norfolk Charlotte Sophia Fitzalan-Howard (''née'' Leveson-Gower), Duchess of Norfolk ( bapt. 9 July 1788 – 7 July 1870) was a daughter of the 1st Duke of Sutherland and his wife, Elizabeth, suo jure Countess of Sutherland. On 27 December 1814, she ...

*1842–1855: Charlotte Canning, Countess Canning *1843–1858:

Elizabeth Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington Elizabeth Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington (''née'' Hay; 27 September 1820 – 13 August 1904), VA, was a daughter of the 8th Marquess of Tweeddale. Her husband, Lord Douro, succeeded his father as Duke of Wellington in 1852. She served as Mis ...

*1845–1864: Elizabeth Cuffe, Countess of Desart *1851–1889: Jane Loftus, Marchioness of Ely *1854–1897:

Anne Murray, Duchess of Atholl Anne Murray, Duchess of Atholl (17 June 1814 – 22 May 1897), born Anne Home-Drummond and known as The Lady Glenlyon between 1839 and 1846, as The Duchess of Atholl between 1846 and 1864 and as The Dowager Duchess of Atholl between 1864 and 1897 ...

*1854–1900:

Jane Spencer, Baroness Churchill Jane Spencer, Baroness Churchill Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, VA (''née'' Conyngham; 1 June 1826 – 24 December 1900) was an English aristocrat and companion of Queen Victoria. From 1854 to her death, Churchill served as a Lady of ...

*1855–1863: Maria Bosville-Macdonald, Baroness Macdonald *1858–1878: Jane Alexander, Countess of Caledon *1864–1890: Elizabeth Cavendish, Baroness Waterpark *1865–1895:

Susanna Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe Susanna Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe (''née'' Dalbiac; 1814 – 7 May 1895) was a friend and Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria. Born into a military family, she married the 6th Duke of Roxburghe in 1836. Innes-Ker was one of Victoria ...

*1867–1872: Eliza Agar-Ellis, Viscountess Clifden *1872–1874: Blanche Bourke, Countess of Mayo *1873–1901:

Eliza Hay, Countess of Erroll ELIZA is an early natural language processing computer program created from 1964 to 1966 at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory by Joseph Weizenbaum. Created to demonstrate the superficiality of communication between humans and machines, ...

*1874–1885: Julia Abercromby, Baroness Abercromby *1878–1901: Ismania FitzRoy, Baroness Southampton *1885–1901:

Emily Russell, Baroness Ampthill Emily Theresa Russell, Baroness Ampthill, (9 September 1843 – 22 February 1927) was a British courtier. Born Lady Emily Theresa Villiers, she was the third daughter of George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon and his wife, Katherine (née Grim ...

9 *1889–1901: Cecilia Dawnay, Viscountess Downe *1890–1901:

Louisa McDonnell, Countess of Antrim Louisa Jane McDonnell, Countess of Antrim, VA (née Grey; 15 February 1855, St. James's Palace – 2 April 1949) was a British noblewoman and courtier. Lady Antrim was the daughter of Hon. Charles Grey (a son of the 2nd Earl Grey and Privat ...

*1895–1901:

Edith Bulwer-Lytton, Countess of Lytton Edith Bulwer-Lytton, Countess of Lytton, (née Villiers; 15 September 1841 – 17 September 1936) was a British aristocrat. As the wife of Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton, she was vicereine of India. After his death, she was a court-a ...

*1897–1901:

Anne Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe Anne Emily Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe (''née'' Spencer-Churchill; 14 November 1854 – 20 June 1923) was the daughter of the 7th Duke of Marlborough, who served in Conservative governments as Lord President of the Council and Lord Lieute ...

Alexandra of Denmark, 1901–1925

Alexandra of Denmark Alexandra of Denmark (Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julia; 1 December 1844 – 20 November 1925) was Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, from 22 January 1901 to 6 May 1910 as the wife of King ...

was Queen Consort to

Edward VII of the United Kingdom Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910. The second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria an ...

*1900–1910:

Alice Stanley, Countess of Derby Alice Maud Olivia Stanley, Countess of Derby (''née'' Montagu; 15 August 1862, Westminster – 23 July 1957, Coworth Park) was born the daughter of the 7th Duke of Manchester and his wife, Countess Louise von Alten. Marriage On 5 January 1889, ...

*1901–1910:

*1901–1925:

Louisa Acheson, Countess of Gosford Louisa Augusta Beatrice Acheson, Countess of Gosford, (née Lady Louisa Montagu; 17 January 1856 – 3 March 1944) was the wife of the 4th Earl of Gosford. Early life Lady Gosford was the third of five children born to Countess Louisa van Alt ...

*1901–1905:

*1901–1911:

Cecilia Harbord, Baroness Suffield Cecilia is a personal name originating in the name of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. The name has been popularly used in Europe (particularly the United Kingdom and Italy, where in 2018 it was the 43rd most popular name for girls born ...

*1901–1907: Alice Douglas, Countess of Morton (Extra Lady of the Bedchamber 1901–?) *1901–1912:

(Extra Lady of the Bedchamber 1901–?) *1901–1905: Maud Petty-FitzMaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne (extra) *1905–1910: Maud Petty-FitzMaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne *1905–1910:

Constance Ashley-Cooper, Countess of Shaftesbury Constance Ashley-Cooper, Countess of Shaftesbury DStJ (22 August 1875 – 8 July 1957), formerly Lady Constance Sibell Grosvenor, was the wife of The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury. She was the daughter of Victor, Earl Grosvenor, and his wife, the fo ...

(extra) *1907–1910: Cecily Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury *1910–1914:

Winifred Hardinge, Baroness Hardinge of Penshurst Winifred is a feminine given name, an anglicization of Welsh ''Gwenffrewi'', from ''gwen'', "fair", and ''ffrew'', "stillness". It may refer to: People * Saint Winifred * Winifred Atwell (1914–1983), a pianist who enjoyed great popularity in B ...

(extra) *1910–1925: Maud Petty-FitzMaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne (extra) *1910–1925: Cecily Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury (extra) *1910–1925: Alice Stanley, Countess of Derby (extra) *1911–1925: Cecilia Carington, Marchioness of Lincolnshire (Countess Carrington 1911–1912)

Mary of Teck, 1901–1953

Mary of Teck Mary of Teck (Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes; 26 May 186724 March 1953) was List of British royal consorts, Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, from 6 May 1910 until 20 Janua ...

was Queen Consort to

George V of the United Kingdom George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother Que ...

*1901–1902:

Ida Bridgeman, Countess of Bradford Ida Bridgeman, Countess of Bradford (née Lady Ida Frances Annabella Lumley, 28 November 1848 – 22 August 1936),G. E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H. A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complet ...

*1901–1910: Mabell Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie *1902–1910: Mary Cochrane-Baillie, Baroness Lamington *1905–1906:

(extra) *1905–1936: Ida Bridgeman, Countess of Bradford (extra) *1906–1913:

*1910–1916: Mabell Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie (extra) *1910–1917: Mary Cochrane-Baillie, Baroness Lamington(extra) *1911–1916:

Ethel Grenfell, Baroness Desborough Ethel Anne Priscilla Grenfell, Baroness Desborough (née Fane; 27 June 1867 – 28 May 1952) was a British society hostess. Life Ethel (Ettie) Fane was born into an aristocratic family. However, at the age of three she was orphaned when her fat ...

*1911–1936: Mary Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, Countess of Minto *1911–1953:

Margaret Russell, Baroness Ampthill Margaret Russell, Baroness Ampthill, ( Lady Margaret Lygon; 8 October 1874 – 12 December 1957) was an English courtier and Red Cross volunteer, known for her long friendship with Queen Mary. Russell was born in London,''1911 England Census' ...

*1913–1924: Emily Fortescue, Countess Fortescue *1913–1953:

(extra) *1916–1924: Ethel Grenfell, Baroness Desborough (extra) *1916–1953: Mabell Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie *1924–1929: Emily Fortescue, Countess Fortescue (extra) *1924–1936: Ethel Grenfell, Baroness Desborough *1938-1951: Hon. Margaret Blanche Wyndham *1951-1953: Hon. Margaret Blanche Wyndham (Extra) *1936–1940: Mary Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, Countess of Minto (extra) *1936–1952: Ethel Grenfell, Baroness Desborough (extra)

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, 1937–2002

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon (4 August 1900 – 30 March 2002) was List of British royal consorts, Queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 to 6 February 1952 as the wife of Ki ...

was Queen Consort to

George VI of the United Kingdom George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of Ind ...

*1937–1947: Mary Wilson, Baroness Nunburnholme *1937–1972: Cynthia Spencer, Countess Spencer *1937–1941: Dorothy Wood, Viscountess Halifax *1937–1994:

Patricia Smith, Viscountess Hambleden Patricia Smith, Viscountess Hambleden (12 November 1904 – 19 March 1994) was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) from 1937 to 1994. Early life She was the eldest child of Reginald Herbert, 15th Earl of Pembrok ...

*1941–1945: Beatrice Ormsby-Gore, Baroness Harlech *1945–1967: Beatrice Ormsby-Gore, Baroness Harlech *1947–1979: Katharine Lumley, Countess of Scarbrough *1973–2002: Elizabeth Beckett, Baroness Grimthorpe *1994–2002: Elizabeth Lumley, Countess of Scarbrough

Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
, 1953–2022

*1953–1966: Fortune FitzRoy, Countess of Euston (later the Duchess of Grafton and subsequently Dowager Duchess) *1953–1973: Elizabeth Coke, Countess of Leicester, wife of

Thomas Coke, 5th Earl of Leicester Thomas William Edward Coke, 5th Earl of Leicester MVO DL (16 May 1908 – 3 September 1976), was a British peer. cited in Early life Major Thomas William Edward Coke, 5th Earl of Leicester of Holkham, was born on 16 May 1908. He was the son ...

*1960–1966: Patricia Nevill, Marchioness of Abergavenny (extra) *1966–1987: Patricia Nevill, Marchioness of Abergavenny *1967–1971: Esmé Baring, née Harmsworth, Countess of Cromer (temporary) wife of Rowland Baring *1967–1969: Sonia Fairfax, Lady Fairfax of Cameron (temporary) (widow of

Thomas Fairfax, 13th Lord Fairfax of Cameron Thomas Brian McKelvie Fairfax, 13th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (14 May 1923 – 8 April 1964), was a Scottish nobleman, peer, and Conservative politician. Early life Thomas Brian McKelvie Fairfax was born on 14 May 1923 and was the son of Albert Fa ...

) *1971–1993: Esmé Baring, née Harmsworth, Countess of Cromer (extra) *1973–2022:

Virginia Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie Virginia Fortune Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie, Royal Victorian Order, DCVO (née Ryan; born February 9, 1933) is a former Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II.Diana Maxwell, Baroness Farnham Diana Marion Maxwell, Baroness Farnham, ( Gunnis; 24 May 1931 – 29 December 2021) was a British courtier who served as Lady of the Bedchamber to Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II from 1987 until her death in 2021. Biography Born Diana Marion ...

References

External links

* {{British Monarchy Household Positions within the British Royal Household Gendered occupations

History

List of Ladies of the Bedchamber to the Queens of England

Catherine of Aragon Catherine of Aragon (also spelt as Katherine, ; 16 December 1485 – 7 January 1536) was Queen of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII from their marriage on 11 June 1509 until their annulment on 23 May 1533. She was previously ..., 1509–1536

Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. Elizabeth was the last of the five House of Tudor monarchs and is sometimes referred to as the "Virgin Queen". El ..., 1558–1603

Anne of Denmark, 1603–1619

Henrietta Maria of France, 1625–1649

Catherine of Braganza, 1662–1692

Mary of Modena, 1673–1688

Mary II Mary II (30 April 166228 December 1694) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, co-reigning with her husband, William III & II, from 1689 until her death in 1694. Mary was the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York, and his first wife ..., 1689–1694

List of Ladies of the Bedchamber to the Queens of Great Britain

Anne Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female given name Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie. Anne is sometimes used as a male name in the ..., 1702–1714

Caroline of Ansbach, 1714–1737

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 1761–1818

List of Ladies of the Bedchamber to the Queens of the United Kingdom

Caroline of Brunswick, 1795–1821

Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, 1830–1837

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ..., 1837–1901

Alexandra of Denmark, 1901–1925

Mary of Teck, 1901–1953

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, 1937–2002

Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ..., 1953–2022

See also

References

External links

Catherine of Aragon Catherine of Aragon (also spelt as Katherine, ; 16 December 1485 – 7 January 1536) was Queen of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII from their marriage on 11 June 1509 until their annulment on 23 May 1533. She was previously ...
, 1509–1536

Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. Elizabeth was the last of the five House of Tudor monarchs and is sometimes referred to as the "Virgin Queen". El ...
, 1558–1603

Mary II Mary II (30 April 166228 December 1694) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, co-reigning with her husband, William III & II, from 1689 until her death in 1694. Mary was the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York, and his first wife ...
, 1689–1694

Anne Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female given name Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie. Anne is sometimes used as a male name in the ...
, 1702–1714

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...
, 1837–1901

Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
, 1953–2022