COLOR & LEARN - Lady In Waiting Historical Figures

A lady-in-waiting or lady in waiting is a female personal assistant at a court, attending on a royal woman or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman but of lower rank than the woman to whom she attended. Although she may either have received a retainer or may not have received compensation for her services, a lady-in-waiting was considered more of a secretary or companion to her mistress than a servant.



In some other parts of the world, the lady-in-waiting was often referred to as a palace woman who was a servant or slave rather than a high-ranking woman, but still had about the same tasks, functioning as companion and secretary to her mistress. In courts where polygamy was practised, a court lady was formally available to the monarch for sexual services, and she could become his wife, consort, courtesan, or concubine. After Wikipedia