Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has passed away, marking the end of the longest reign in history. Her demeanor and decisions were strongly inclined towards tradition, adhering to royal heritage while cautiously approaching change. The royal family has maintained certain traditions that are rather peculiar, with no clear understanding of their continued existence, including some odd jobs that can only be found at Buckingham Palace. Here are some of the strangest jobs at the late queen's palace, according to the "Times of India":
**Royal Roast Carver**
This hereditary position is passed down within a high-status family, currently held by Alexander Fielding, who carves the roast during royal barbecues and special events.
**Keeper of the Royal Stamp Collection**
The queen not only appeared on stamps in the UK but also took care of collecting them. Many pieces of her extensive collection were inherited from her stamp-collecting grandfather and father. The collection is so vast that the royal family needs a custodian to manage it. Since 2003, stamp specialist Michael Sevey has held the position of chief curator and maintainer of historically significant documents.
**The Queen's Navigator**
The queen's navigator leads a team of 24 royal navigators, a position that dates back hundreds of years to times when royal family members frequently traveled via waterways. According to the official royal website, there are still government boats on the River Thames.
**Conductor of the Royal Band**
The royal band is responsible for performing at major events and is allowed to compose pieces for royal or official occasions as they see fit. The current conductor, Ms. Judith Weir, was appointed in 2014.
**Royal Botanic Gardener**
Like many other positions on this list, this role is technically honorary. Currently, the position is held by Professor Steve Blackmore, a plant enthusiast and regional custodian of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.
**Royal Astronomer**
The title of Royal Astronomer is awarded to a prominent figure in the field of astronomy. This position was created in 1675 by King Charles II, highlighting how much the field has evolved since then. The current astronomer is Martin Rees.
**Royal Clock Repairer**
This position oversees the operation and maintenance of all clocks in royal estates and residences. There are definitely a lot of these clocks: 500 in Buckingham Palace, 379 in Windsor Castle, and 80 in Holyroodhouse.
**Royal Horse Breeder**
While this position is largely ceremonial today, as the Crown Equerry now handles daily public relations for the royal horses, it remains an important role. Established in the 14th century, it once held much greater political significance, responsible for providing horses for the king’s travel and warfare.
**Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures**
The Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures manages the royal collections of the UK monarch, with the responsibility of caring for and maintaining the royal picture collection officially owned by the monarch.
**Swan Keeper**
The sovereign owns all unmarked swans in open waters in England. A traditional event is held every July to count all the swans on the River Thames and ensure their health as part of conservation efforts.
**Queen’s Shoe Fitter**
Queen Elizabeth II was known for her rather quirky fashion sense, and her footwear was a part of that. She would not wear shoes before a special staff member tried them on to ensure they were comfortable for her.
**Royal Piper**
The Royal Piper is tasked with waking the queen every morning by playing the bagpipes at 9 AM every day of the week, along with some other related duties.
