It must be nice being royalty. There's always someone at their beck and call.
Currently, the royal household employs approximately 1,200 people, but most of them hold typical jobs. Of course, there are some positions that are a little out of the ordinary...
Without further ado, here are the 10 weirdest royal jobs that actually exist to this day.
Remember, keep reading until the end of the article to read the weirdest, and probably most disgusting, job ever. We've kept the best for last!
1. The Shoe-Wearer
The best thing about new shoes is that they're new. The worst thing is that you have to break into your footwear attire before you get to feel really comfortable with them. Luckily for the Queen of England, one of her wardrobe staffers will do the burdensome task for her.
2. The Royal Clock Winder
Also known as the Royal Horological Conservator, they are responsible for maintaining and setting over 1,000 clocks in Buckingham Palace and other royal residences. I suppose thousands of ticking clocks are still better than simple digital ones.
3. The Pages of Honor
Did you really think the Queen would lift her long, heavy robe during ceremonial occasions? Of course there would be someone there to do it for her. The position is usually given to teenage sons of nobility or senior members of the royal household.
4. The Astronomer Royal
The first Astronomer Royal was appointed by King Charles II in 1675. The position was designed to have someone map out "the motions of the heavens." This role is still as prestigious as it was back then, even with all the advancements in technology. Nowadays the Astronomer Royal is responsible for keeping the Queen up-to-date on astronomical matters.
5. The Flag Sergeant
The task of lowering and raising the royal standard flag seems like it would be pretty easy, but there's more to it than that. The Union Flag is raised when the Queen is absent, and lowered when she's at home. The hard part here is that the Flag Sergeant has to follow the Queen around all her residences, raising and lowering the flag upon her entrance and exit.
6. The Warden and Marker of the Swans
This two-man job involves gathering the Queen's swans for a census and health check. They are also responsible for the annual "Swan-Upping Ceremony."
7. The Grand Carver
Someone is actually responsible for cutting the Queen's meat. The person who is given this role carves up the roast meat on special occasions. The thing is, not everyone can become the Grand Carver. It's a hereditary position because clearly you require great genes to do such a difficult task.
8. Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures
The Queen has a lot of pictures. A lot as in approximately 7,000 oil paintings and 3,000 miniatures, which are on display at the principal royal residences. Someone has to be responsible for the care and management of all that priceless artwork.
9. The Master of the Horse
This role used to be very important when the sovereign traveled by horse, but now the Master of the Horse is only a ceremonial figure. That being said, they are still in charge of the stables and being present on the rare occasion a sovereign chooses to ride by horse.
10. The Yeomen Warders
They're basically tour guides who share stories and take pictures with tourists outside the Tower of London.
Bonus: Groom of the King's Close Stool
Okay, so this doesn't exist today, but it's interesting to know. From the pre-1500s to the Victorian era, there was someone who assisted the King of England in his bathroom activities.
Which royal job do you think is the strangest of them all?
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