Royal Households of the United Kingdom

The Royal Households of the United Kingdom are the collective departments that support members of the British royal family. Many members of the royal family who undertake public duties have separate households. They vary considerably in size, from the large Royal Household that supports the sovereign to the household of the Prince and Princess of Wales, with fewer members. In addition to the royal officials and support staff, the sovereign's own household incorporates representatives of other estates of the realm, including the government, the military, and the church. Government whips, defence chiefs, several clerics, scientists, musicians, poets, and artists hold honorary positions within the Royal Household. In this way, the Royal Household may be seen as having a symbolic, as well as a practical, function: exemplifying the monarchy's close relationship with other parts of the constitution and of national life. History Anglo-Saxon (871–1066) The royal household has roots in the that provided military support to early Anglo-Saxon kings. In addition to military personnel and the royal family, the household included domestic servants, priests, clerks, and royal favourites. By the 10th century, a class of nobles called the king's thegns led the household. While all thegns were nobles, king's thegns had higher status as royal household members. Great magnates (such as earls, bishops, and abbots) would have also been regularly present.