Princess Anne’s rumoured new Lady-in-Waiting has a special family connection

Princess Anne could offer the role to one of Zara Tindall’s best friends

Princess Anne is thought to appoint a new Lady-in-Waiting with a special family connection
(Image credit: Getty Images)

When a woman senior in the Royal Family appoints a Lady-in-Waiting, it’s a special honour reserved for people near and dear to them, and Princess Anne is set to pick someone very special to join her Ladies-in-Waiting.

The late Queen Elizabeth II had many throughout her reign, some of whom served alongside her for decades, like Lady Susan Hussey.

So special were the Ladies in Waiting that King Charles III made them Ladies of the Household following her death in 2022, reassigning their roles to duties towards upkeeping the running of the palaces to honour their years of service.

Princess Anne has had many Ladies-in-Waiting by her side for years

(Image credit: Getty Images)

In November 2022, it was announced that Queen Camilla would end the tradition of having ladies-in-waiting. Instead, she will be helped by "Queen's companions". Their role will be informal and they will not be involved in tasks such as replying to letters or developing schedules.

Her companions include her sister, Annabel Elliot and Lady Sarah Keswick.

And now, a new report in the Telegraph, has revealed the likely identity of the new Lady-in-Waiting for Anne, the Princess Royal.


The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Anne by Helen Cathcart | £11.99 at Amazon

The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Anne by Helen Cathcart | £11.99 at Amazon

This insightful biography focuses on the role of Princess Royal throughout history, including Princess Anne who currently holds this prestigious title. It explores Princess Anne's life, drawing on journals, royal letters and associated material, and how the six Princess Royals before her helped to shape this position.

Dolly Maude is a close friend to Zara, and helped deliver Princess Anne's grandson when things took a dramatic turn

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Traditionally, ladies in waiting would be the wives or daughters of peers but they can also be a cousin or close friend, and in classic Princess Anne style, she is set to extend the honour to someone in recognition of their special connection to her daughter, Zara Tindall.

Dolly Maude, an NHS nurse who helped to deliver Zara and Mike Tindall’s third child, Lucas, on the bathroom floor at her Gatcombe Park home in 2021, is set to become the new Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Anne.

Amusingly, Dolly once joined Zara for the Cheltenham races wearing a comical Lady-in-Waiting badge. As a non-working royal, Zara wouldn't have Ladies-in-Waiting, but Dolly might have manifested her rumoured new role with Zara's mother. 

The Telegraph suggests that Buckingham Palace will announce the appointment in the Court Circular on February 1, when Dolly Maude will be revealed as one of four newly appointed ladies in waiting.

Dolly Maude holding Mia Tindall

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Dolly was maid of honour when Zara Tindall married Mike Tindall in 2011, and she helped to deliver Lucas when his birth did not quite go to plan.

Mike Tindall described the dramatic birth on his The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast.

He said, “Fortunately Zara’s friend Dolly is... actually more important than I am... she’s been at all three of my children’s births.”

"She was there and recognised that we wouldn’t have got to the hospital in time, so it was run into the gym, get a mat, get into the bathroom, towels down, brace brace brace!”

Dolly Maude is set to become a Lady-in-Waiting to the Princess Royal

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Describing Dolly in the publication, a source said, “She’s such a great girl. For the Princess Royal, it’s a perfect fit because of their shared love of dogs and horses."

"She’s not only extremely close to Zara, she also gets on brilliantly with the Princess.  She’s fiercely loyal and discreet. It’s a great match.”

The Princess Royal, who regularly carries out the most royal engagements each year and is considered the hardest working royal, at one time had 11 ladies in waiting, two of whom had worked for Her Royal Highness for more than 50 years, three for more than 40 years, and five for more than 30 years.

However, it’s thought that she will be replacing some who are considering retirement.

Jack Slater
Freelance writer

Jack Slater is not the Last Action Hero, but that's what comes up first when you Google him. Preferring a much more sedentary life, Jack gets his thrills by covering news, entertainment, celebrity, film and culture for woman&home, and other digital publications.

Having written for various print and online publications—ranging from national syndicates to niche magazines—Jack has written about nearly everything there is to write about, covering LGBTQ+ news, celebrity features, TV and film scoops, reviewing the latest theatre shows lighting up London’s West End and the most pressing of SEO based stories.