History Main / LadyInWaiting

* As in RealLife, Film/MarieAntoinette is attended by her two closest friends, the Princesse de Lamballe and the Duchesse de Polignac.

* "[[http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/l54j4lkj.png Las Meninas]]" by Diego Velasquez depicts the princess of Spain with her Ladies-of-Honor, another term for a lady-in-waiting.

* In ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'', Daisy Duck is implied to be Queen Minnie's lady-in-waiting. This is confirme in ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3D'', as the Land of the Musketeers is Disney Town/Disney Castle from before King Mickey's rule, more precisely, as seen in ''WesternAnimation/MickeyDonaldGoofyTheThreeMusketeers''... that, despite the fact Daisy herself did not appear in the Land of the Musketeers in the game.

* In ''Manga/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'', Ai Hayasaka is the daughter of a branch director of the Shinomiya Group, the richest and most powerful corporation in Japan, and serves as the personal attendant to Kaguya Shinomiya, the daughter of the corporation's president.

* ''LightNovel/TheTwelveKingdoms'':

* In ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'', Daisy Duck is implied to be Queen Minnie's lady-in-waiting. This is confirme in ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3D'', as the Land of the Musketeers is Disney Town/Disney Castle from before King Mickey's rule, more precisely, as seen in ''WesternAnimation/MickeyDonaldGoofyTheThreeMusketeers''.

* In ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'', Daisy Duck is implied to be Queen Minnie's lady-in-waiting. This is confirmeddin ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3D'', as the Land of the Musketeers is Disney Town/Disney Castle from before King Mickey's rule.

* In one of the multiple endings of ''VideoGame/PrincessMaker 2'', the daughter of the game [[http://princessmaker.wikia.com/wiki/Lady_In_Waiting_Ending_(PM2) ends up working as the lady-in-waiting to the Queen]]. Technically speaking, however, she can sort-of unofficially play the role by sneaking into the palace and managing to talk to either the Royal Concubine or the Queen if she has the traits needed (Conversation/Speech for the first, Temperance/Personality for the second).

If the lady-in-waiting is older, she may be a MatronChaperon and part of a MaidAndMaiden duo.

If the lady-in-waiting is older, she may be part of a MaidAndMaiden duo.

The duties of a lady-in-waiting can vary greatly, as can their relationship with their mistress. They will often get her wardrobe ready for the day, accompany her during courtly activities, and serve as her personal secretaries. Depending on how much the mistress trusts her ladies-in-waiting, they could pass on secret messages for her or act as spies on other members of the court. Ladies-in-waiting can be either viewed as friends by the mistress or simple tools to use however she sees fit.

The duties of a lady-in-waiting can vary greatly, as can their relationship with their mistress. They will often help her get dressed, get food, and prepare her for bed, while also accompanying her during courtly activities like dancing or horse riding. Depending on how much the mistress trusts her ladies-in-waiting, they could pass on secret messages for her or act as spies on other members of the court. Ladies-in-waiting can be either viewed as friends by the mistress, or simple tools to use however she sees fit.

* Yuri Ishtar from ''Manga/AnatoliaStory'' has several ladies in waiting, as it befits her position as Kail's lover and partner. Three of them [[BadassFamily are sisters]] as well as {{Action Girl}}s (the LadyOfWar Hadi and the {{Cute Bruiser}}s Shala and Ryuhi), the other two are Princess Alexandra from the Arzawa lands and a commoner girl named Ursula [[spoiler: who later pulls an HeroicSacrifice to help Yuri when she's falsely accused of murder.]]

** Emilia plays this role for Desdemona in ''{{Theatre/Othello}}'', as the wife of a military officer attending on the wife of a higher-ranking officer.

* In ''Theater/TheMarriageOfFigaro'', Figaro's sweetheart Susanna works as Countess Rosina's handmaid. Then, the Count of Almaviva starts courting her and [[ShippingTorpedo creating obstacles]] to her and Figaro's relationship. The plot of both the play and the opera relays on pretty much everyone brewing a XanatosGambit to get the Count to stop.

* ''Anime/CrossAnge'' has Momoka, Princess Angelise/Ange's former lady-in-waiting. Momoka is so loyal to Ange that even after Ange is revealed to be a Norma, disinherited, and sent into exile at Arzenal, Momoka follows her to continue serving her. Normally she wouldn't have been allowed to do that, but Ange exploits a [[LoopholeAbuse legal loophole]] to allow Momoka to stay with her. [[spoiler: She even tries a MutualKill with Embryo and herself out of affection for Ange, and barely survives.]]

* Lady Cluck to Maid Marian in the Disney version of ''WesternAnimation/RobinHood''. In their first scene they are playing badminton and Cluck jokes, "As your lady-in-waiting, I'm waiting."

** Hera's daughter, Hebe, as served as her mother's handmaiden in the Iliad, which was likely a role performed by unmarried daughters in Homeric society.

"Anyway, according to this book, a lady-in-waiting's duties include teaching me manners, languages, and dances prevalent at court; reading and composing correspondence -- though, honestly, I don't know who's going to write me a letter; painting, which I love with my whole heart; horseback riding -- sing me up! music and participation in other queenly pastimes. There's also care of my wardrobe -- I'm not too into clothes, so let's not worry about that; matters of diplomacy; supervision of servants; keeping me informed about everything that's happening at court; and discreetly relaying messages upon command. But I'm not exactly the type to give commands. I guess you could say we have a lot of work ahead of us."\\

"Anyway, according to this book, a lady-in-waiting's duties include teaching me manners, languages, and dances prevalent at court; reading and composing correspondence -- though, honestly, I don't know who's going to write me a letter; painting, which I love with my whole heart; horseback riding -- sing me up! music and participation in other queenly pastimes. There's also care of my wardrobe -- I'm not too into clothes, so let's not worry about that; matters of diplomacy; supervision of servants; keeping me informed about everything that's happening at court; and discreetly relaying messages upon command. But I'm not exactly the type to give commands. I guess you could say we have a lot of work ahead of us."''\\

->''"And when my mom suggested that you be my lady-in-waiting, it felt so right to me. Do you know what that's like? When something just feels right?''
->Cassandra stared, taking another cookie.
->''"Anyway, according to this book, a lady-in-waiting's duties include teaching me manners, languages, and dances prevalent at court; reading and composing correspondence - though, honestly, I don't know who's going to write me a letter; painting, which I love with my whole heart; horseback riding - sing me up! music and participation in other queenly pastimes. There's also care of my wardrobe - I'm not too into clothes, so let's not worry about that; matters of diplomacy; supervision of servants; keeping me informed about everything that's happening at court; and discreetly relaying messages upon commant. But I'm not exactly the type to give commands. I guess you could say we have a lot of work ahead of us."''
->Cassandra had placed the cookie on her lap and was growing paler by the second."

[[folder:Art]]
* "[[http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/l54j4lkj.png Las Meninas]]" by Diego Velasquez depicts the princess of Spain with her Ladies-of-Honor, another term for a lady-in-waiting.
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[[folder: Anime and Manga]]

* In ''Manga/RoseOfVersailles'', one of the main antagonists is Martine Gabrielle de Polastron, aka the Countess of Polignac, lady-in-waiting to UsefulNotes/MarieAntoinette [[spoiler:and the long-lost mother of Rosalie, Oscar's own sort-of lady-in-waiting]].
** Earlier, during Louis [=XV's=] reign, Oscar was dragged in the conflict between the Countess [=DuBarry=], the King's officially recognized mistress, and Marie Antoinette, then merely the Dauphine (wife of the heir). The former tried to earn Oscar's support by having her mother appointed as her lady-in-waiting; Marie Antoinette responded by doing the same, leading to Louis XV giving Oscar's mother the right to choose which place she wanted. As they all knew this was actually about Oscar, Lady Jarjayes made ''her'' choose, with Oscar choosing Marie Antoinette because she knew that [[ForegoneConclusion while DuBarry at the moment was the most powerful Marie Antoinette would win in the long term simply by becoming Queen of France]], an event she expected would come relatively soon due to Louis [=XV's=] advanced age (he would indeed die in about two years).
* In ''LightNovel/TheTwelveKingdoms'', the deaths of two ladies-in-waiting have ''very'' important consequences for the Kingdom of Hou. [[spoiler: They were mother and daughter, and both worked as companions for the [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen the cruel Queen Consort]] and the [[SpoiledBrat spoiled Princess Shoukei]]. The Queen framed the mother for corruption and got her ''and'' her daughter executed for such a "crime," [[DrivenByEnvy out of jealousy]] [[DisproportionateRetribution because the daughter]] [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking was more talented than the Princess]]. This was the cherry on top of the royal family's [[AllCrimesAreEqual already present sins]] [[FisherKing that were driving Hou to ruin]], causing [[KnightInSourArmor Governor Gekkei]] [[TheDogBitesBack to lead a revolution]] that finished with the royal couple ''and'' their kirin [[KarmicDeath dead]], and with [[FallenPrincess Shoukei]] as a SoleSurvivor who goes through quite the BreakTheHaughty.]]

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[[folder:Film - Live Action]]

* In the Disney version of ''Film/TheThreeMusketeers1993'', Constance Bonacieux specifically refers to herself as a lady in waiting to the Queen of France.

* In the live-action version of ''Film/Aladdin2019'', Princess Jasmine has a handmaiden named Dalia, who serves as her confidante and becomes one half of a BetaCouple with the Genie. She at one point pretends to be Jasmine, who doesn't get to leave the palace much and doesn't want Aladdin to know [[KingIncognito who she really is]], which is PlayedForLaughs on account of Dalia's BadBadActing.

* Annette from ''Jig-Saw'' serves this role to Mona.
* Literature/RapunzelAndTheLostLagoon: The appointing of Cassandra as Rapunzel lady-in-waiting kick off the plot, and this trope is discussed when Princess Rapunzel quotes a book about the duties of a lady-in-waiting to a [[ThisIsGonnaSuck reluctant Cassandra]], see page quote.

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[[folder:Mythology and Religion]]

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[[folder: Western Animation]]

** AllThereInTheManual: This trope is discussed in the novel Literature/RapunzelAndTheLostLagoon between Princess Rapunzel and a reluctant Cassandra, whose dream is to be a Royal Guard and not a Royal Servant, see the page quote.

* In ''Literature/ReflectionsOfEterna'', Louise Aramona, one of the narrators, and her daughter Celine end up as ladies-in-waiting of first Aeris Oakdell (sister of Duke Richard Oakdell) and then Queen Catharine, all at the whim of the inscrutable yet all-powerful Duke Roque Alva.

* Literature/RapunzelAndTheLostLagoon: The appointing of Cassandra as Rapunzel LadyInWaiting kick off the plot, and this trope is discussed when Princess Rapunzel quotes a book about the duties of a LadyInWaiting to a [[ThisIsGonnaSuck reluctant Cassandra]], see page quote.

* ''Film/TheFavourite'' is about Sarah, lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne, having her position challenged and eventually overtaken by her cousin Abigail. Sarah actually does most of the work of governing the country, which the queen has little gumption for.

** AllThereInTheManual: This trope is discussed in the novel Literature/RapunzelAndTheLostLagoon, see the section Literature.

A lady-in-waiting is a personal assistant to a queen, princess, or noblewoman at court. They are often of noble birth themselves, but are usually from a lower social rank then the woman they are attending to.

** Earlier, during Louis [=XV's=] reign, Oscar was dragged in the conflict between the Countess [=DuBarry=], the King's officially recognized mistress, and Marie Antoinette, then merely the Dauphine (wife of the heir). The former tried to earn Oscar's support by having her mother appointed as her lady-in-waiting; Marie Antoinette responded by doing the same, leading to Louis XV giving Oscar's mother the right to choose which place she wanted. As they all knew this was actually about Oscar, Lady Jarjayes made ''her'' choose, with Oscar choosing Marie Antoinette because she knew that [[ForegoneConclusion while DuBarry at the moment was the most powerful Marie Antoinette would win in the long term simply by becoming Queen of France]], an event she expected would come relatively soon due Louis [=XV's=] advanced age (he would indeed die in about two years).

* The CreepyTwins Hien and Souhi can be seen as this for Hinoto in ''Manga/{{X 1999}}''. Hinoto in't exactly a noblewoman but actually the leader of the Dragons of the Heaven, but she's referred to as "princess" and since she's also a a deaf/mute/crippled IllGirl, the twins are always by her side.

* Millie Chillum in ''Literature/LordsAndLadies'', who is totally overawed at being in the presence of the (soon-to-be) Queen, which Magrat finds rather odd, since she's known the girl her whole life.
* The Imperial palace and assorted princely and noble households in Literature/TheTaleOfGenji simply overflow with numerous ladies in waiting. The author of the Tale, Creator/MurasakiShikibu, was a real life lady in waiting.

[[folder: Live Action TV]]
* ''Radio/OurMissBrooks'': In "King and Brooks", Miss Brooks' dream sequence features several ladies in waiting serving her.

* In ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures,'' Rani becomes a lady-in-waiting to the ill-fated Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days Queen, while time traveling. She claims to be "Lady Rani of the Court of the Taj Mahal", in order to HandWave the fact that she's claiming to [[NoEqualOpportunityTimeTravel be a gentlewomen despite her ethnicity]].

* On ''Series/{{Reign}},'' Mary Stuart's historical 'four Maries' are renamed Greer, Kenna, Lola and Aylee. God Help Us.

** In ''Theatre/TwelfthNight'', Maria is a gentlewoman to Olivia, the highest ranking female noble in Illyria. At the end of the play it is announced that Sir Toby Belch has married Maria offstage, which simply wouldn't have happened if she was a commoner maid.

** AllThereInTheManual: This trope is discussed at the novel Literature/RapunzelAndTheLostLagoon, see the section Literature.

* In Myth/OceanianMythology, the other three [[AnIcePerson Snow Maidens]], Lilinoe, Kahoupokane, and Waia'u, serve as this to [[EveryoneIsRelated their sister]] Poli'ahu. Lilinoe styes Poli'ahu's hair, Waia'u bathes her, and Kahoupokane is in charge of laundry.