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Official Royal Posts: The Queen's Piper

The piper though does not travel to Sandringham and play due to the shortage of accommodations there. At Windsor, Balmoral and Holyroodhouse, he also pipes at Her Majesty’s dinner table. The piper is also in charge of forming the entry and exit of the 12 pipes that play around the table after State banquets. The Queen’s Pipe is also a Honourary Page of Presence and carries out those duties…
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Corporal Nathan Cirillo: one of Her Majesty's own

Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was a member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, a reserve infantry regiment based at the James Street Armoury in Hamilton, Ontario. Their Colonel in Chief is of course, Her Majesty. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) is one of Canada’s largest Army Reserve Units and one of their ceremonial duties is to guard the National War Memorial. The…
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History

The Royal W: Who is Black Rod?

Black Rod, as he is known, is the Chief Gentleman Usher to the Sovereign and an officer of the Order of the Garter. The primary duties take place at the Palace of Westminster where he is Serjeant at Arms in attendance upon the Lord Chancellor. He is accountable for discipline and security in the House of Lords. Black Rod also executes ceremonial and other duties. In 1971, the offices of Black Rod…
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History

Official Royal Posts: The Royal Watermen

Whether a State occasion or travel between the Tower of London, Windsor, Hampton Court, Westminster or Greenwich, the Thames was the means for travel and the men who rowed the Royal barges up and down the river were known as the Royal Watermen. Grand Ceremonial events often…
History

Official Royal Posts: Lord Steward

Until 1782, the office was one of great political significance and held Cabinet rank. After 1924, the office would change over as the government changed. The Lord Steward was at one time head of his own department of the Household that was in charge of the ‘below stairs’ officers and staff through the Board of Green Cloth. Much of the work was assigned to the Lord Stewards underlings, usually…
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