The Queen employs a member of staff to ‘break in her shoes’ because she ‘doesn’t have time to do it herself
THE Queen has more than 1,000 members of staff who work across the vast royal estates – including one person who breaks in her shoes and another who carves roasts.
The 93-year-old has employed countless people during her 67-year reign, and currently has 1,200 staff members running the Royal household.
From cooks and gardeners to drivers and housekeepers, an army of people work hard behind the scenes, but alongside traditional positions the Queen also has some unusual roles to fill.
The monarch hires somebody to wear her shoes in before she does to make sure they’re comfortable, as she doesn't have the time herself.
The Queen has worn the same style of shoe for most of her reign, which is a black leather loafer with a chunky heel finished with a buckle, handmade by Anello & Davide.
But before she slips them on her size four feet, she gets a staff member which the same small shoe size to walk up and down in them first.
After years of speculation, it was revealed that the Queen’s personal assistant and senior dresser, Angela Kelly, had been breaking in the Queen’s shoes all these years.
Writing in her book The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, she said: “As has been reported a lot in the press, a flunky wears in Her Majesty’s shoes to ensure that they are comfortable and that she is always good to go.
"And yes, I am that flunky.
“The Queen has very little time to herself and not time to wear in her own shoes and as we share the same shoe size it makes the most sense this way.”
Among the other bizarre roles the Queen fills is the Astronomer Royal, who is employed to stargaze.
In previous years the position led to important scientific discoveries, but nowadays it’s more ceremonial.
Currently the Astronomer Royal is Martin Reese, who receives an annual £100 stipend.
Another quirky royal role is the Great Carver of England, who is in charge of slicing up the royal roasts.
The position is hereditary, and has been passed down through the generations, and is currently held by the Earl of Denbigh.
The Queen also employs a Master of the Horse, whose job it is to stand beside her and her horse.
The role was of extreme importance in the past, but now it's more honorary.
The post is held by Lord Vesty, who was appointed in 1999, who attends ceremonial events when the Queen is horse-riding or travelling via a horse-drawn carriage.
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