A chamberlain is not someone who only exists in fairy tales. A chamberlain really exists and helps the queen with all kinds of matters. The role of the chamberlain.
Chamberlain per province
The queen has a chamberlain for each province. In Friesland, Rienk Wegener Schleswijk from Leeuwarden occupies that role. He has been doing that for 19 years. The 71-year-old former judge has a large number of tasks.
Official in the service of the Queen
A chamberlain is the only official who is literally in the service of the Queen. He serves primarily as an advisor to the Queen and provides solicited and unsolicited advice on matters of importance to the province. These advices remain secret. The chamberlain also accompanies the queen on all official visits to the province.
How do you become the queen’s chamberlain?
There is no job board to become a chamberlain. This also means that you cannot apply. A chamberlain is asked for the job. That procedure is also secret. The queen decides who will be her chamberlain and is informed. Even chamberlains who have worked for the queen for a long time do not know why the choice fell on them. At one point the chamberlain in Friesland was suddenly invited to dinner. There we had pleasant conversations with each other. Only later did Wegener Schleswig hear that the queen wanted him as chamberlain.
Spider in the web
To be able to provide good advice, a chamberlain must of course be at the center of society and have a good network.
Up to seventy
In principle, someone can be a chamberlain until the age of 70. However, they can get an extension for a few more years if the queen herself requests it.
New king or new queen: entire court resigns
When a new monarch takes office, a completely new situation arises. Not only for a chamberlain, but also for an entire court. It is customary during a transfer of the throne such as the one that took place in 2013 between Queen Beatrix and Prince Willem Alexander, that the entire court offers its resignation. The new king or queen can then put together a whole new team.
No chamberlain in South Holland
The queen has a chamberlain in almost every province and in the three major cities. The exception is the province of South Holland. The chamberlains of Rotterdam and The Hague jointly ensure that this province is still represented.
Unpaid
Although it seems that the position of chamberlain is a well-paid one, nothing could be further from the truth. A chamberlain works without pay, which means that he does not receive any money for it.
The court of a king or queen
The court of a king or queen consists of the following functions:
- Grandmaster
- Grandmistress
- General Secretariat
- Treasury
- Chamberlains
- Master of ceremonies
- Marshal
- Intendance of the Royal Palaces
- Court ladies
- Adjutants
Grandmaster
The Grand Master heads the Service of the Royal House and is the head of the court. Foreign visits fall under his supervision, but also the maintenance of those contacts. This will be done in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Grandmistress
The Grand Mistress is important to foreigners, but those who live in the Netherlands. These include heads of diplomatic missions and members of international organizations.
General Secretariat
The content of the policy and the practical support of the Queen and the other members of the Royal House and the Royal family are the responsibility of the general secretariat. Foreign events are also prepared by this department. During the secretariat meeting, Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Máxima discuss the queen’s agenda at Huis ten Bosch Palace. Other members of the court are also present.
The Treasury
The Treasury is, as it were, the accountant of the Queen and other members of the Royal House and the Royal Family. The payroll administration is also done here.
Master of ceremonies
The Royal House does not have one master of ceremonies, but an entire office. All events that the Queen initiates as hostess are organized and carried out there. The office also provides advice on ceremonial and protocol matters, such as the application of the Dutch flag, the table arrangement during a dinner and how decorations should be pinned and worn.
Marshal
The Marshal really exists and is not something from a movie. This department provides all domestic services in the homes of the members of the Royal Household and guests. Guests staying with the Royal House also fall under this care. The lackeys fall under this department. They serve drinks and meals at receptions, lunches and dinners.
Intendance of the Royal Palaces
At the Intendance of the Royal Palaces, the maintenance and management of palaces and Hunting Lodge Het Oude Loo are arranged. This includes furnishing, automation, but also the maintenance of gardens and parks.
Court ladies work for only an expense allowance
The ladies-in-waiting who help with the preparations for the events of the Queen and other members of the family only provide an expense allowance to ensure that everything runs smoothly. There are seven of them in the Queen’s employ and sometimes they are loaned out to other members of the family. Heads of state from other countries can also count on their support in the Netherlands.
Adjutants
At public performances and major events, the adjutants, together with many other members of the Court Household, ensure that everything runs smoothly and safely. They are always members of the Royal Navy, the Royal Army, the Royal Air Force or the Royal Military Police and must have the rank of captain-lieutenant-commander or lieutenant-colonel. The adjutants work for the Royal House, or actually the Military House, for three years. Anyone who is appointed as an adjutant in extraordinary service may have to return to his position on special occasions if the occasion so requires. Adjutants always wear a uniform.