There are a few jobs in this life that we’d gladly do for free: rubbing oil on Henry Cavill’s abs, babysitting dogs, and being a seat filler for celebs at award shows.
But what about being at the Queen’s beck and call? Let’s not forget that they have some pretty hefty demands .
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While some people would scoff at the unpaid job, one woman considers it the highest honor.
This woman is Susan Hussey, the Queen’s lady-in-waiting.
The 81-year-old acts as a personal assistant to the Queen.
Although the Queen has eight ladies-in-waiting, all with different jobs, Hussey is her right-hand woman — and has been since 1960.
She was first hired to respond to letters after Prince Andrew’s birth.
Then, she worked as the Queen’s Woman of the Bedchamber.
This means that she helped the monarch get dressed and helped her bathe.
This isn’t an easy job, considering the Queen is very particular about her bathtime. Her staff must always ensure that the water is at the right temperature using a wooden thermometer and make sure it’s exactly seven inches.
Hussey’s role as lady-in-waiting has evolved since then.
She’s reportedly considered the Queen’s “Number One Head Girl,” described as “one of the key trusted figures helping the Queen in her later life.”
This comes with many privileges, such as getting to rub elbows with celebrities and political figures at events.
In 2004, she accompanied the Queen and the late Prince Philip at the State Opening of Parliament in 2004.
According to royal experts, Susan’s duties are to help “their mistress collect flowers at events, attending private and personal matters, running errands, and handling general correspondence.”
With so many responsibilities to tend to, you’d think that Susan would be paid, right?
Wrong! Not a single lady-in-waiting is paid for their service. Instead, they fulfill their roles to the Queen out of personal loyalty.
Since they’re expected to serve the Queen for life, the Queen has lost several of her ladies-in-waiting while they were still working for her.
She lost Fortune Fitzroy, Dowager Duchess of Grafton, on December 3 at the age of 101.
This was followed by Diana Maxwell, Lady Farnham, on December 29 at the age of 90. Since these women are viewed less as “staff” and more as “friends,” this was a difficult time for the Queen.
Hussey was there for the Queen through it all.
If you’re wondering how she’s able to work without pay, it’s because she has enough money of her own.
She was married to a wealthy man, the late Marmaduke Hussey, the Baron Hussey of North Bradley, also known as Lord Hussey. He was the chairman of BBC and former chief executive officer and managing director of Times Newspapers .
Some would argue that Lady Susan gets something better than money while working for the Queen: status. And status means power.
See, as the Queen’s right-hand woman, Hussey is essentially part of the royal family herself. She is the godmother to Prince William the Duke of Cambridge and has been photographed at many royal events over the years.
She was appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, the highest rank the Queen can issue.
She even gets a say on who joins the royal household. It’s been reported that she recommended Tiggy Legge-Bourke as the nanny for Prince William and Harry. She also interviewed Angela Kelly for the role of the Queen’s dressmaker in 1994.
Finally, the close bond between the Queen and her No. 1 lady-in-waiting was more than evident at Prince Philip’s funeral.
She reportedly asked Lady Susan to accompany her in the car ride over to the funeral of her husband of 73 years.
If that doesn’t say friendship, I don’t know what does!
Last Updated on February 1, 2022 by Sarah Kester
