7 strange jobs you can get working for the Queen
The Queen employs around 1,000 staff to keep the monarch ticking along.
While many jobs at Buckingham Palace are what you’d expect — housekeepers, gardeners and chefs, for example — others are a bit more... niche.
Here are some of the stranger jobs you can get working for the royal family.
1. Shoe-wearer
At 91, the Queen still wears heels and it’s someone’s job to break in the Queen’s new shoes. "[The shoes] have to be immediately comfortable ... she does get someone to wear them," the Queen's dress designer Stewart Parvin said. "The Queen can never say 'I'm uncomfortable, I can't walk anymore.' She has the right to have someone wear them in."
2. Social media officer
All of the royal residencies have official social media accounts to announce news and events. Earlier this year, the palace posted a job listing for a Digital Communications Officer to work on a maternity leave contract for $52,000 a year.
3. Grand carver
You can’t expect the Queen to cut her own steaks! But this this self-explanatory job is so important, you can't even apply for it. You inherit the position through royal or noble blood. Currently, the Earl of Denbigh and Desmond has the job.
4. Linen keeper
The job was advertised back in 2016 and according to the job description, the position's responsibilities are to ensure "the cloth matches the magnificence of the banqueting table." The job also came with a free room and meals at Buckingham Palace.
5. Vase polisher
With the palace filled with historic vases, someone has to polish them all. The palace advertised this job last year and said they were looking for someone to work 20 hours a week for only $13,000 a year.
6. Surveyor of pictures
There are many painting in the palace and someone has to ensure the paintings are in good condition. The current surveyor is Desmond Shawe-Taylor, who's had the job since 2005.
7. Stamp collector
Thanks to her father, King George V, the Queen has a huge stamp collection, and employs someone to organise and sort them. The current position is being held by Michael Sefi, who's had the position since 2003.