This week's bank holiday is the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, which marks 70 years since she first took to the throne in 1952.
Events will be held throughout the UK to celebrate, including a free live music event in Princes Street Gardens on June 5.
In honour of the occasion, online genealogy service Findmypast has unearthed the 10 most unusual jobs that have ever existed in the Royal Household — and even some that remain.
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These include positions such as Groom of the Wine Cellar, Keeper of the Privy Purse, Telephonist, that at one time were very important roles.
According to Findmypast, here are the 10 most bizarre jobs that have actually existed in the Royal Household.
1. 1st Yeoman of the Silver Pantry
In the Royal Household, the Grand Service is kept under the care of the Yeoman of the Silver Pantry, who ahead of any event, is responsible for unpacking all the silver from its temperature-controlled room and carefully washing and polishing it all.
The role is still an important one today, with the current Yeoman responsible for looking after over 8,000 service pieces.
2. Groom of the Wine Cellar
There were several roles relating to working in the Royal Wine Cellars, but none quite as unusual as the Groom of the Wine Cellar.
In addition, there is also now a Royal Household Wine Committee that assists with wine recommendations.
3. Lady of the Bedchamber
As the official position of personal attendant on a British queen or princess, this role was typically held by an entrusted female member from a Noble family.
Duties included attending to the Royal by helping her bathe, getting dressed and undressed.
The role was most recently held by Diana Maxwell, Baroness Farnham, who worked as the Lady of the Bedchamber from 1987 until her death in 2021.
4. Piper to the Sovereign
The holder of this particular office is responsible for playing the bagpipes at the Sovereign's request — and in 1921, this role was held by a gentleman named Henry Forsyth, originally from Edinburgh.
This role still exists today and is held by Paul Burns from the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
5. Livery Porter
Essential to running a large home, a Livery Porter assisted with the arrival of guests and deliveries.
The Royal Household advertised for this position as recently as 2015, where the salary was listed as a live-in role for which you could earn £16,700 per annum.
6. Luggage Packer
Given the number of official events and long tours that senior figures in the Royal Household have to attend, it is no surprise that they enlisted the support of a professional luggage packer to help them prepare.
7. Coffee Room Maid
Duties of this role included assembling breakfast and tea trays for members of the Royal Family and staff were required to keep note of the preferences of each individual family member.
8. The King's Messenger
The Royal Household has employed Royal messengers since the 15th century, and The Corps of Queen's Messengers still exists today.
Messengers allegedly have special ‘red passports’ for when they have to travel overseas to deliver important diplomatic documents.
9. Keeper of the Privy Purse
This role is responsible for the financial management of the Royal Household — and is unsurprisingly reserved for a trusted contact.
This job still exists, with Sir Michael John Stevens being in the role.
10. Telephonist
Otherwise known as a switchboard operator, those with this position worked in the Royal Household and were privy to various private conversations.
Even in an age of emails and social media, the role still exists to this day, with the Royal Household still receiving over 4,000 calls every week.
