Discover

In the Royal Household of the United Kingdom the ''Maids of Honour'' were the junior attendants upon a Queen Regnant (8) or Queen Consort (4). The last Maid of Honour was retired in 1936.
The term ''Lady-in-Waiting'' is used to describe a woman attending a female member of the Royal Family other than the Queen Regnant or Queen Consort. An attendant upon one of the latter is styled ''Lady of the Bedchamber'' or ''Woman of the Bedchamber'', and the senior Lady-in-Waiting is the ''Mistress of the Robes''. The Women of the Bedchamber are in regular attendance, but the Mistress of the Robes and the Ladies of the Bedchamber are normally only required for ceremonial occasions.
"Maid of Honour" lead to the American English term "maid of honor", usually the best friend of a bride who leads her bridal party.