The Queen’s loyal Ladies-in-Waiting joined members of The Royal Family in Westminster Hall on Wednesday, September 14, to say their final goodbyes to the monarch they had served for many decades.
The Ladies-in-Waiting, who were Elizabeth II’s closest aides, curtsied as Her late Majesty arrived in Westminster Hall to begin Lying-in-State.
Some of the ladies had served The Queen for 60 years and were some of her closest confidants, accompanying the late monarch to engagements and attending to her in private.
Lady Susan Hussey was one of Elizabeth’s longest serving aides, and became so close to the monarch that she became godmother to Prince William.
Lady Susan also formed part of ‘HMS Bubble’ during the lockdowns, and was the only person allowed to accompany the Queen to the funeral of her late husband, Prince Philip.
Stood alongside Lady Susan in Westminster Hall was Susan Rhodes who was appointed as an Extra Lady-in-Waiting in 2017.
In recent times, Lady Susan accompanied Her late Majesty to engagements, including the Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph.
A Lady-in-waiting’s jobs mainly consist of helping their mistress collect flowers at events, attending private and personal matters, running errands and handling general correspondence.
Unlike in past times, not all Ladies-in-Waiting are of noble birth with many being are siblings or close friends of the ladies they serve.
Queen Consort Camilla’s ladies include an old school friend and her sister Annabelle Elliot.
The late Diana, Princess of Wales had three ladies from the day she was married and later added five more, one of them being her sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale.
