The Queen is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. The 93-year-old is known for her careful attention to the rules, customs and traditions of the Royal Family. In total, the Queen employs around 1,200 people just to keep the Royal household up and running in positions ranging from cooks to drivers and everything in between. But what are some of these jobs?

A former royal protection officer and a butler to Prince Charles, Simon Morgan told Town and Country magazine: “One of the best things about working for the royal family is when you are recognized for your hard work.”

“The family would show this by inviting staff to Christmas parties, tea parties, and balls. 

“A fond memory of mine is getting to dance with the Queen at the Gillies Ball in the Balmoral ballroom. It was a very proud moment for a Scotsman!”

He added: “You find yourself in places you wouldn’t normally have access to. 

“You are very fortunate to be in these positions, to travel by private charter, or travel first class, or to be on super-yachts, or to eat in some of the nicest restaurants the world can offer, but it’s just a job. 

“You go back to your two-up two-down home and life carries on. Your environment might change but you remember you are still a police officer, employed by the Met Police.”

However, Mr Morgan said that it was not always easy.

He told Town and Country magazine: “You have long days, the days when there are more challenges than others that you have to solve. 

“As a protection officer, everybody all of a sudden looks at you for answers. The eyes turn to you.

“You are working for the world’s number one family, and there is nowhere in the world they can go without being recognized. 

“That’s your biggest pressure, anything that goes wrong has massive implications, which include the threat of life.”

READ MORE

• Royal news: Queen may be forced to rip up renovation works

The Master of the Horse

This position was created around 1340 and essentially means that it is someone’s job to stand beside the Queen and her horse.

In the past, the job would have been of key importance, but today it is considered to be an honorary one.

Horse & Hound reported on the position, writing: “The Master is no longer involved with the day-to-day running of [the Royal Mews] but still makes inspections and rides in ceremonial uniform at state occasions.”

The current Master of the Horse is Lord Vestey who was appointed to the role in 1999.

According to the Telegraph, he is “the senior officer” in charge of the Royal Mews, horses and horse carriages owned by the Queen.

Lord Vestey’s role is to attend important ceremonial events when the Queen rides on horseback or travels in horse-drawn carriages.

The Queen’s shoes 

It is someone’s job to break in the Queen’s shoes.

The Royal Household employs a member of staff to wear a pair of ankle socks and walk around on carpeted areas of Buckingham Palace to wear in Queen Elizabeth II’s new shows.

The Queen’s dressmaker, Angela Kelly, has unusually taken on this job herself in recent years.

In her book The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, she said: “As has been reported a lot in the press, a flunky wears in Her Majesty’s shoes to ensure that they are comfortable and that she is always good to go. And yes, I am that flunky.”

She added: “The Queen has very little time to herself and not time to wear in her own shoes and as we share the same shoe size it makes the most sense this way.”

DON’T MISS
When will we next see Kate and her children? [INSIGHT]
When will we see Meghan, Harry and Archie next? [PICTURES]
How did Prince Philip celebrate his stag do? [COMMENT]

READ MORE

• Why Meghan’s Diana-style TV interview is ‘problematic’ for Queen

Astronomer Royal

Queen Elizabeth II employs someone to look at the stars.

In the past, this role has led to many important scientific discoveries, but today is mainly a ceremonial position.

Nowadays, the Astronomer Royal often advises the Queen on astronomical matters.

The position is currently held by Martin Rees who receives an annual stipend of just £100.

Swan Marker

Almost every swan in the UK belongs to the Queen.

In the past, swans were considered a delicacy, but today they are no longer eaten by the Royal Family.

Instead, the Queen exercises her right of ownership to help conserve the protected species.

She is permitted to claim any unmarked swans around the country, but she tends to focus on a particular stretch of the River Thames.

She has a specialised swan task force whose job it is to check the swans and their health.

READ MORE

• Elizabeth The Last: TV guest in shocking outburst to abolish monarchy

Great Carver of England

It is someone’s job to carve the royal roasts.

Apparently, this role is given by birthright and it passed down through the generations.

Today the position is held by the Earl of Denbigh who is well-practiced in the art of carving.

Other astonishing jobs include:

• The Royal Watermen – A designated team of 48 stabbers who are responsible for rowing the Royal Barges to transport the Queen.
• Master of the Queen’s music – A person who is responsible for composing Queen Elizabeth II’s music.
• Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection – A part-time position of two days per week for someone who is tasked with maintaining the Queen’s stamp collection.
• Human alarm clock/Piper of the Sovereign – This person is employed to play bagpipes whenever the Queen requests it and is tasked with playing bagpipes every weekday for 15 minutes beginning at 9am as a wakeup call for the Queen.
• Food taster – For centuries a person has been employed to taste the food of the King or Queen before they eat and it appears the Queen still employs someone in this role now.
• Clockwinder – A person is employed to wind and mind clocks for the Queen. One clockwinder revealed it took him on average 16 hours to change all of the Queen’s clocks to daylight savings time each year.
• Pages of Honour – Pages are aged 12 to 15 and are usually sons of the Royal Family’s friends who are tasked with carrying the Queen’s train during royal ceremonies.
• Art collection surveyor – The Queen’s art collection includes around 7,000 oil paintings and 3,000 miniatures and there is one person who is employed to survey her art collection.
• Her Majesty’s Sculptor – Someone is employed to sculpt the Queen’s statues, but according to the current sculptor there are no real duties because there is no significant pay, but instead, it is simply an honour bestowed.

Source: Read Full Article