Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures
[ranking: 11]
The Queen??s ??Royal Collection?? currently includes roughly 7,000 oil paintings and 3,000 miniatures. That??s a lot of pictures that need surveying. Desmond Shawe-Taylor holds curatorial responsibility for all of the Queen??s Pictures, which are on display at the principal royal residences, but are open to the public.
This role is not to be confused with the entirely separate role of Surveyor of the Queen??s Works of Art. Raise your hand if you??re confused.
Medical Officer to the Queen Abroad
[ranking: 17]
Typically a senior surgeon of the Royal Navy, the Medical Officer to the Queen Abroad is essentially the Queen??s doctor to-go for whenever she??s traveling. The position is more interesting when you consider that the royal medical household also includes two Physicians to the Queen, The Serjeant Surgeon, a Surgeon Gynaecologist to the Queen, a Surgeon Dentist to the Queen, an Orthopaedic Surgeon to the Queen, a Surgeon Oculist to the Queen, an Apothecary to the Queen, and, well, you get the picture. Hospitals are for peasants!
Poet Laureate
[ranking: 12]
Though many countries have a Poet Laureate, including the United States, it??s still a little odd to have a salaried national poet. The tradition began in England in the 17th century, and the position has been held by well-known poets such as William Wordsworth and Alfred Tennyson. While the role previously had firmer requirements and political importance, now the Poet Laureate writes poems for special events, or whenever they happen to feel the urge.
Britain's current Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, was the first woman appointed to the position. She receives a modest salary of ??5,750, and, according to tradition, a ??butt of sack,?? which is about 600 or so bottles of sherry. Just to get those emotions flowing.
The Astronomer Royal
[ranking: 8]
Back in 1675, King Charles II appointed the first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed, to map out ??the motions of the heavens.?? Sure, piece of cake. Today, with iPhone apps that can label the constellations, one might think the position of Astronomer Royal would fall by the wayside. Yet the prestigious role still exists and is currently held by Martin Rees.
Though largely a ceremonial figure, he is responsible for advising the sovereign on all astronomical matters as needed.
Yeomen Warder
[ranking: 16]
The Yeomen Warders act as the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. In other words, they??re glorified tour guides. Often called ??Beefeaters,?? their position in the Royal Bodyguard once allowed them to eat all the beef their hearts desired from the king??s table. In the grand scheme of nicknames, that??s a pretty bad one.
If you visit London, you can catch the Yeomen Warders outside the Tower of London taking pictures with tourists and telling creepy execution stories.
The Queen's Flag Sergeant
[ranking: 13]
The Queen??s Flag Sergeant has the fun task of raising and lowering the royal standard flag outside the Queen??s residence to indicate whether or not she??s home. The Union Flag is raised when she??s absent. To make matters more difficult, the Flag Sergeant also has to follow the Queen around to all of her residences, raising and lowering the flag upon her entrance and exit. Current Flag Sergeant, Lance Sgt Nathan Bowen, enjoys the position, and stated, ??We all sign or swear the oath of allegiance to serve Her Majesty and her offices below and this is the place at the top of the tree to do just that.??
Well... the top of the pole, really, but we get the point.
New Random Display Show all by ranking(17 items)