Description:Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1806-1868), the second Duchess of Sutherland, was closely associated with the Royal Family and became a close friend of Queen Victoria (1819-1901). Her strong relationship with the Queen led to her appointment as Mistress of the Robes, head of the Queen’s female household.
As Mistress of the Robes, Duchess Harriet was responsible for organising the Queen’s Ladies in Waiting. This complicated process involved producing a rota which satisfied the requirements of the chosen ladies and the Queen herself.
Documents amongst Duchess Harriet’s papers demonstrate the process by which the rota was produced. The Duchess would write to the chosen ladies in order to consult them about appropriate dates for their waiting.
On 7th June 1851 Duchess Harriet received a letter from Lady Caroline Edgecombe informing her that Lady Caroline was ‘happy in being able to obey the Queen’s wishes by taking Lady Portman’s Waiting on the 15th July’.
Click on the images on the left to learn more about Duchess Harriet's role as Mistress of the Robes.