Wilhelmina Bonde

Bonde is described as a loyal royalist with an elegant and imposing manner, and had a leading role within the Swedish high society life.

In 1860, she was appointed överhovmästarinna (Mistress of the Robes) to queen Louise in succession to countess Stefanie Hamilton, the highest rank for a female at the royal Swedish court.

She accepted the position out of personal friendship with Louise and the condition that she would be allowed to delegate her tasks to one of the ladies-in-waiting when her private life demanded to, and she normally left the daily affairs to others.

When she requested to be relieved of her position, Fritz von Dardel commented in his chronicle: "Their Majesties are not likely to mourn over her departure, as they have never approved of her outdated ideas in everything related to etiquette".

"[4] No successor was appointed for two years after her departure, during which her tasks were performed by the ladies-in-waiting ranked as statsfru, among them being Anne-Malène Wachtmeister and Malvina De la Gardie.