Woman of the Bedchamber
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In the Royal Household of the United Kingdom the term 'Woman of the Bedchamber' is used to describe a woman attending either a Queen Regnant or Queen Consort, in the role of Lady-in-Waiting. Queens Regnant or Consort also have Ladies of the bedchamber (typically wives or widows of peers above the rank of Earl), and the senior Lady-in-Waiting is the Mistress of the Robes. In everyday usage, these ladies are termed Ladies-in-Waiting. The Women of the Bedchamber are usually in regular attendance, but the Mistress of the Robes and the Ladies of the Bedchamber are normally only required for ceremonial occasions. More junior female Members of the Royal Family also have friends to assist them on public engagements, who are known only as 'Ladies-in-Waiting'.
