The Title ‘Scarlet Rod’ is from the
characteristic insignia of the office which is a long silver gilt
rod. The shaft is covered with scarlet enamel that signifies the
mantles of the Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Order. The
holders of the office have been senior military members since 1900.
In 1932, the first RAF appointment held the position. Since then,
the Armed Services takes turns…
The Royal Household: The Clerk and The Yeoman of the Royal Cellars
14th November 2014
The Clerk of the Royal Cellars The Clerk
of the Royal Cellars is a part-time member of the Royal Household.
They are usually an experienced senior wine merchant. The Clerk
advises and supervises the purchasing and maintenance of the liquor
for the Household, focusing on…
William and Adelaide’s marriage proved to
be a happy one. Both King and Queen were popular with the British
public, and Adelaide even more so, for her modesty and charitable
nature. Curiously, Adelaide was the only Georgian Queen to survive
her husband, and, as Dowager…
Originally there were four Masters of the
Household, but in the 17th Century it was reduced to one. The
position was also one that required little to no effort, which was
until Prince Albert reorganized the structure in the 1840s. The
current Master of the Household Department comprises over 250
employees and is the largest department of the Royal Household.
Since 2013, Vice-Admiral Anthony…
The Wives of the Georgian Kings: Maria Fitzherbert & Caroline of Brunswick
8th November 2014
Firstly, let’s look at George’s ‘secret’
wife, Maria Fitzherbert, in further detail. Born Maria Smythe, she
was the eldest daughter of Mary Ann and Walter Smythe, the son of a
knight. Maria was raised as a Roman Catholic, and received an
adequate education at a…
With the support of peers in the
House of Lords and Members of Parliament, the College submitted
their proposal to the Cabinet Office and Her Majesty The Queen
supported the decision to name the award after her. The Queen
has been Patron of the College since her accession…
Although their marriage was, in broad
terms, quite a happy one, their wedding day was far from a joyous
occasion. Mary, a mere 15 year old girl, is said to have wept
continuously throughout the ceremony, and the arranger of the
marriage, King Charles II, is reported to have behaved like a joker
at the event, making silly jests and seeking attention. The Bishop
of London, Compton, performed the…
The first Counsellors of State were
created by an Order in Council of George V in 1911. Under the
Regency Act 1937, Her Majesty is able to appoint Counsellors of
State. They have a limited role, although any two Counsellors of
State may attend Privy Council meetings and they…
The Lord Chamberlain is the conduit of
communication between The Queen and The House of Lords. He is also
Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order. For ceremonial occasions
the Lord Chamberlain carries symbols of his office; a white staff
and a key worn in his hip pocket. The…
Caroline of Ansbach was born on 1st March
1683. Her parents were John Frederick, the Margrave of the small
German state of Ansbach, and his wife Eleonore. Her father died
when she was only three years old, and Caroline and her younger
brother had to accompany their mother to Dresden, where
she married the Elector of Saxony. After Eleanore’s death in
1696, Caroline went to live, first with her…
