Statsfru

Originally created in 1774, the office was given to several individuals, and simply the title of a married lady-in-waiting in rank between the överhovmästarinna and the kammarfröken.

In 1774, king Gustav III introduced a new office called statsfru, to make it possible for married women to have a formal position at court.

[2] Their function was essentially the same as the Hovfröken: they performed secretarial duties, answered letters, made purchases, acted as messengers, delivered orders, performed smaller representational duties such as attending weddings and funerals in the nobility as in place of the queen, and accompanied the queen as her company and entourage.

Because they were married and expected to be able to attend their families, they were permitted to make their own terms, could negotiate their salary and refuse assignments.

[4] Like the Hovfröken, they had their own room at the royal palace, personal servants and free use of a carriage from the royal stables; but in contrast to the Hovfröken, they were also permitted to visit the private rooms of the queen without permission of the Överhovmästarinna, and they took their orders directly from the queen and not from the Överhovmästarinna.