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 'Gentlewoman of Her Majesty's Bedchamber' was sometimes used. In addition to the Women of the Bedchamber, queens (regnant or consort) have Ladies of the Bedchamber (typically wives or widows of peers above the rank of earl), and a Mistress of the Robes (usually a duchess) who is the senior female member of her household. The Women of the Bedchamber are usually in regular attendance, but the Mistress of the Robes and the Ladies of the Bedchamber are normally only required for major events and occasions.
When 'in Waiting', a Woman of the Bedchamber might be expected to accompany the Queen on public or semi-private engagements, make purchases on the Queen's behalf or other arrangements of a personal nature. She might enquire after the wellbeing of acquaintances who are unwell and sometimes attend memorial services on the Queen's behalf. During the reign of Elizabeth II the Women of the Bedchamber dealt substantially with the Queen's private correspondence, and replied to letters on her behalf.
Historically, the duties of a Woman of the Bedchamber were to attend the royal woman and help her bathe, get dressed, undressed, and so forth.[1]
In a description from 1728, a Woman of the Bedchamber worked independently from the 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 pass the garments to the Lady of the Bedchamber, who in turn helped the queen put them on. The procedure was the same in other respects.
Queen Elizabeth II maintained an establishment of at least four Women of the Bedchamber, one of whom at a time was usually in attendance.[2] For most of the Queen's reign they each served in rotation, remaining on duty for a fortnight at a time, during which period they were referred to as 'Lady-in-Waiting to Her Majesty' or 'Lady-in-Waiting to The Queen'.[3] The establishment was supplemented by 'extra' Women of the Bedchamber, who might take turns on a more occasional basis.
At the time of her death, the Women of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II included Lady Susan Hussey and The Hon. Mary Morrison (both of whom were appointed in 1960) along with Lady Elton and Mrs Robert de Pass (both of whom were appointed in 1987),[4] and The Hon. Dame Annabel Whitehead and Mrs. Michael Gordon Lennox (both of whom were initially appointed in 2002).[5] All continued to take regular turns on duty in the latter years of her reign.[6]
Those who served as Women of the Bedchamber to Elizabeth II included:[7]
| Years | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1953–1975 | Lady Margaret Hay DCVO | had served as Lady in Waiting to Princess Elizabeth from 1948 |
| 1953–1959 | Lady Alice Egerton | had served as Lady in Waiting to Princess Elizabeth from 1949 |
| 1953–1972 | Lady Rose Baring DCVO | Extra Woman of the Bedchamber 1972–1993 |
| The Hon. Mrs. Andrew Elphinstone (later Mrs. John Woodroffe) CVO | Extra Woman of the Bedchamber 1953–2017 had served as Lady in Waiting to Princess Elizabeth from 1949 | |
| 1973–1987 | Mrs. Alexander (later Lady) Abel Smith DCVO | Extra Woman of the Bedchamber 1960–1973 and 1987–2005[8] had served as Lady in Waiting to Princess Elizabeth 1949–1952 |
| 1973–2002[9] | Mrs. John (later Lady) Dugdale DCVO | Extra Woman of the Bedchamber 1960–1973[10] |
| 1960–2022 | The Hon. Mary Morrison GCVO | |
| 1960–2022 | The Lady Susan Hussey GCVO | |
| Mrs. Michael Wall DCVO | Extra Woman of the Bedchamber 1981–2006 formerly Assistant Press Secretary to the Queen | |
| 1987–2022 | The Lady Elton DCVO | |
| Mrs. Robert de Pass CVO | Extra Woman of the Bedchamber 1987–2022 | |
| 1997–c.2002 | Mrs. Christian Adams | |
| 1999–2006 | Mrs. (later Dame) Fiona Henderson DCVO[11] | formerly a Lady in Waiting to HRH the Duchess of Kent |
| 2002–2022 | The Hon. Mrs. (later Dame Annabel) Whitehead DCVO | formerly a Lady in Waiting to HRH the Princess Margaret |
| 2002–2022 | Mrs. Michael Gordon Lennox CVO | formerly a Lady in Waiting to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother |