<P> A lady - in - waiting or court lady is a female personal assistant at a court, royal or feudal, attending on a royal woman or a high - ranking noblewoman . Historically, in Europe, a lady - in - waiting was often a noblewoman, but of lower rank than the woman on whom she attended . Although she may or may not have received compensation for the service she rendered, a lady - in - waiting was considered more of a companion to her mistress than a servant . </P> <P> In other parts of the world outside Europe, the lady - in - waiting, often referred to as palace woman, was often in practice a servant or a slave rather than a high - ranking woman, but still had about the same tasks, functioning as companion and secretary to her mistress . In courts where polygamy was practiced, a court lady was formally available to the monarch for sexual services, and she could become his wife or concubine . </P>

What does it mean to be a lady in waiting
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