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Here are 5 Surprising Jobs You Can Get With the U.K. Royal Family

4 minute read

One of the biggest questions on people’s minds as the Duchess of Cambridge left London’s St. Mary’s Hospital on Saturday with Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, was just how Kate could manage to leave her doctors’ care less than ten hours after giving birth. (And looking stunning while doing it, no less.)

The answer partly lies in the fact that the royal household has a large and trusted staff including an appointed Surgeon-Gynecologist to the Royal Family, Dr Alan Farthing, who has held the position since 2008. In addition to his royal role, Farthing also has a private practice on London’s Harley Street and works at London’s Queen Charlotte’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital.

While it may strike some as surprising that the royal household has its very own Surgeon-Gynecologist with a formal title, it’s actually one of the more logical positions that are currently held. Though historical jobs with the royal family tend to sound even more bizarre —formal titles included Chocolate Maker to the Queen and Keeper of the Lions in the Tower — there are still some peculiar positions within the current royal household.

Here are some of the more unusual royal job titles and posts that are currently held:

Warden of the Swans — Together with the Marker of the Swans — another formal position — the Warden will “conduct the annual census of swans on the Thames,” reports the Guardian, a process called swan upping. The Queen owns all of the unmarked mute swans in the U.K., yet she only chooses to exercise her ownership rights on certain stretches of the Thames. The current Warden, biologist Christopher Perrins, an emeritus fellow at Oxford University, has held the position since 1993. Prior to that, the Warden of the Swans and the Marker of the Swans was one position, known as the Keeper of the Queen’s Swans.

Master of the Queen’s Music — A position with no set responsibilities, the Master of the Queen’s Music is thought to be a position of honor given to a prominent musician for a period of ten years. The current Master is composer Judith Weir, who was appointed in 2014. Though the position does not formally require it, Masters of the Queen’s Music are able to compose music for royal or state occasions if they wish. Weir introduced a special arrangement of the U.K. national anthem, “God Save the Queen,” during King Richard III’s reinternment in March, 2015.

Astronomer Royal — Now largely an honorary title, the senior Astronomer Royal — presently Martin Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow, who has held the position since 1995 — is expected to “be available for consultation on scientific matters for as long as the holder remains a professional astronomer,” according to the British Monarchy’s official website.

Master of the Horse — Another honorary position, the Master of the Horse is required to attend all prominent ceremonial occasions where the Queen might be riding on horseback or in a horse-drawn carriage. The current Master of the Horse, Lord Samuel Vestey, 74, is also responsible for “periodic inspections of the Royal Mews (stables).”

The Queen’s Piper — A position since the Victorian era, the piper is tasked with playing every weekday at 9:00 a.m. for around 15 minutes under the Queen’s window when she is not traveling and in residence at either Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse or Balmoral Castle. According to the Monarchy’s website, in recent decades the “post has been awarded to a serving soldier and experienced army Pipe Major on [temporary transfer], who retains his army status and pay although becoming a member of the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace.” The current piper is David Rodgers of the Irish Guards.

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Wedding Of Pippa Middleton And James Matthews
Prince George, fourth left, stands with other flower boys and girls after the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark's Church onMay 20, 2017 in Englefield, England.Pool/Getty Images
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Britain's Prince George (R) waves as he leaves in a car after attending the wedding of his aunt, Pippa Middleton (L), to James Matthews at St Mark's Church in Englefield, west of London, on May 20, 2017.TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)Justin Tallis—AFP/Getty Images
2016 Royal Tour To Canada Of The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge - Victoria, British Columbia
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge wave to wellwishers as they depart Victoria on October 1, 2016 in Victoria, Canada. Samir Hussein—Getty Images
The Middleton Family Attend Church On Christmas Day
Prince George of Cambridge attends a Christmas Day service at St. Marks Church in Englefield, England, on Dec. 25, 2016. Anwar Hussein—WireImage/Getty Images
In this October handout image provided by Kensington Palace on Dec. 18, 2015, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, pose for a portrait with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
In this October handout image provided by Kensington Palace on Dec. 18, 2015, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, pose for a portrait with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.Chris Jelf—PA Wire/Press Association Images
Queen Elizabeth II with her five great-grandchildren and her two youngest grandchildren in the Green Drawing Room, part of Windsor Castle's semi-State apartments in Windsor England. The children are: James, Viscount Severn, 8-years-old, left, and Lady Louise, 12-years-old, second left, the children of The Earl and Countess of Wessex; Mia Tindall, holding The Queen's handbag, the two year-old-daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall; Savannah 5-years-old, third right, and Isla Phillips, 3-years-old, right, daughters of The Queen's eldest grandson Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn; Prince George, 2-years-old, second right, and in The Queen's arms and in the tradition of Royal portraiture, the youngest great-grandchild, Princess Charlotte, 11-months-old, children of Prince William and Kate Duchess of Cambridge, April 20, 2016.
Queen Elizabeth II with her five great-grandchildren and her two youngest grandchildren. She holds Princess Charlotte in her arms in this April 2016 photo.Annie Leibovitz—AP
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The firstborn of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is a busy toddler. Now three years old, Prince George has been photographed doing everything from helping his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II mark her 90th birthday to meeting President Obama in a bathrobe. Here's a look back at some of his most memorable moments. Prince George with the family pet dog, Lupo, at his home in Norfolk, Britain, in mid-July. Kensington Palace released the image to mark his third birthday on July 22, 2016. Matt Porteous—Handout/Reuters
Britain's Prince George points as he and his father, Prince William, look at a 'Squirrel' helicopter during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in western England on July 8, 2016.
Britain's Prince George points as he and his father, Prince William, look at a 'Squirrel' helicopter during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in western England on July 8, 2016.Richard Pohle—Pool/AFP/Getty Images
prince george robe sold out
Prince George displays the robe from a rocking horse with the ease of a seasoned runway model as he meets the President and First Lady on April 22, 2016.The White House—Getty Images
Prince George meets President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in April 2016. The robe that he wore later sold out.
Prince George meets President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in April 2016. The robe that he wore later sold out.The White House—Getty Images
Britain Queen's 90th
In this image released by the Royal Mail on April 20, 2016, Britain's Prince George stands on foam blocks during a photo shoot in mid-2015 in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in London, for a stamp sheet to mark the 90th birthday of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. He is photographed with Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II and his father, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.Ranald Mackechnie/Royal Mail—AP
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, with their children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, enjoy a short private skiing break in the French Alps on March 3, 2016.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, with their children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, enjoy a short private skiing break in the French Alps on March 3, 2016. John Stillwel—WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince George birthday
Prince George with his father, the Duke of Cambridge, in the gardens at Sandringham House, Norfolk, England, on July 5, 2015. Mario Testino—AP
Christening Princess Charlotte prince george
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge arrive at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate for the Christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge on July 5, 2015 in King's Lynn, England. Chris Jackson—Getty Images
princess kate prince george
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge attend the Gigaset Charity Polo Match at the Beaufort Polo Club on June 14, 2015 in Tetbury, England.Max Mumby—Getty Images
royal family prince george
Britain's Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince Willian holding Prince George, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after attending the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London, June 13, 2015.Stefan Wermuth—Reuters
Trooping The Colour prince george
Prince George of Cambridge is held by his nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo as he waves from the window of Buckingham Palace as he watches the Trooping The Colour ceremony on June 13, 2015 in London.Chris Jackson—Getty Images
Prince George birthday
File photo dated May 2, 2015 of the Duke of Cambridge with his son Prince George as he arrives at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, after the birth of his newborn daughter Princess Charlotte.Anthony Devlin—AP
prince george and princess charlotte
Prince George and Princess CharlotteKensington Palace
Britain's Prince George's first birthday at the Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London on July 2, 2014.
Britain's Prince George's first birthday at the Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London on July 2, 2014.John Stillwell—AFP/Getty Images
Prince George of Cambridge walks holding his mother Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's hand as they watch Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry play in the Jerudong Trophy charity polo match at Cirencester Park Polo Club on June 15, 2014 in Cirencester, England.
Prince George of Cambridge walks holding his mother Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's hand as they watch Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry play in the Jerudong Trophy charity polo match at Cirencester Park Polo Club on June 15, 2014 in Cirencester, England. Max Mumby—Indigo/Getty Images
Jerudong Park Trophy
Prince George of Cambridge plays with a football whilst holding his mother Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's hand at Cirencester Park Polo Club on June 15, 2014 in Cirencester, England.Max Mumby—Indigo/Getty Images
From left: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge along with baby Prince George visit Taronga Zoo on April 20, 2014 in Sydney.
From left: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge along with baby Prince George visit Taronga Zoo on April 20, 2014 in Sydney.Michael Dunlea—Barcroft Media/Landov
Prince George
Prince George of Cambridge, with his parents Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, receives a gift from the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, at Admiralty House, on April 16, 2014 in Sydney. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on a three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand, the first official trip overseas with their son, Prince George of Cambridge.David Foote—Admiralty House/Getty Images
Prince George
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, holds Prince George as they board a Royal Australian Airforce Jet heading to Sydney at an airport in Wellington, New Zealand, April 16, 2014. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be in Australia until April 25, 2014.Mark Coote—EPA
Prince George
Britain's Prince George, center, plays during a visit to Plunket, a nurse and parents group at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand April 9, 2014. Marty Melville—AP
NZEALAND-BRITAIN-AUSTRALIA-ROYALS
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge holds Prince George during a Plunket nurse and parents group visit at Government House in Wellington United Kingdom on April 9, 2014. MARTY MELVILLE—AFP/Getty Images
Prince George
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge arrive at Wellington Airport's military terminal for the start of their tour on April 7, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. Samir Hussein—WireImage
Prince George
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge pose for an official family portrait at Kensington Palace, ahead of their tour to Australia and New Zealand, with their pet dog Lupo on March 18, 2014 in London. Jason Bell—Camera Press via Getty Image
Prince George Christening
The official portrait for the christening of Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, photographed at Clarence House in London on October 23, 2013. Prince George wears an outfit made of delicate Honiton lace and white satin - an exact replica of the one worn before him by every baby born to the British Royal family since 1841. Jason Bell—Camera Press/Redux
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge With Their Son Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge In Bucklebury
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge pose for a photograph with their son, Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge in the garden of the Middleton family home in August, 2013, in Bucklebury, Berkshire. Michael Middleton—Kensington Palace via Getty Images
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, depart The Lindo Wing with their newborn son, Prince George, at St Mary's Hospital in London on July 23, 2013.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, depart The Lindo Wing with their newborn son, Prince George, at St Mary's Hospital in London on July 23, 2013.Dave J Hogan—Getty Images

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