Achamberlain (Medieval Latin:cambellanus orcambrerius, with charge of treasurycamerarius) is a senior royal official in charge of managing aroyal household. Historically, the chamberlain superintends the arrangement of domestic affairs and was often also charged with receiving and paying out money kept in the royal chamber. The position was usually awarded as an honour to a high-ranking member of thenobility (nobleman) or theclergy, often aroyal favourite.Roman emperors appointed this officer under the title ofcubicularius. TheChamberlain of the Holy Roman Church enjoys very extensive powers, having the revenues of the papal household under his charge. As a sign of their dignity, chamberlains bore a key, which in the seventeenth century was often silvered, and actually fitted the door-locks of chamber rooms. Since the eighteenth century, it has turned into a merely symbolic, albeit splendid,rank-insignia of gilded bronze. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign.
Historically, many institutions and governments – monasteries, cathedrals and cities – also had the post of chamberlain, who usually had charge of finances.[1] The Finance Director of theCity of London is still called the Chamberlain, whileNew York City had a chamberlain who managed city accounts until the early 20th century.[2]
From the Old Frenchchamberlain, chamberlenc, Modern Frenchchambellan, from Old High GermanChamarling, Chamarlinc, whence also the Medieval Latincambellanus, camerlingus, camerlengus; Italiancamerlingo; Spanishcamerlengo, compounded of Old High GermanChamara, Kamara [Latincamera, "chamber"], and the German suffix-ling.[3]
Some of the principal posts known by this name:
Around the year of 2012, The Grand Chamberlain of The Council, Alauddin bin Abu Bakar, on emergency broadcast had announced the divorce between the Sultan and his third wife.[1]
June 7, 2015. The Grand Chamberlain of Brunei announced the newborn prince ofDeputy Sultan, Crown Prince of Brunei.
Ober-Kammerherr orKammerherr (Russian:обер-камергер or камергер). Historically,postelnichiy (постельничий) was the ceremonial post at thecourt of aGrand Duke. Later, in 1772, at the court of theTsar theGerman termKammerherr was introduced. TheOber-Kammerherr was responsible for the audiences granted to members of theRoyal Family. Since the beginning of the 18th century, theOber-Kammerherr was the most senior appointed official of theRussian Imperial Court associated with thehousehold of the sovereign. The most notable figures were:
InSweden there are ten serving chamberlains (Swedish:kammarherrar) and four serving cabinet chamberlains (kabinettskammarherrar) at the royal court. The chamberlains are not employed by the court but serve during ceremonial occasions such as state visits, audiences, and official dinners.
InThailand the head of theBureau of the Royal Household is titled the Lord Chamberlain (เลขาธิการพระราชวัง). He has several Grand Chamberlains as his deputy, usually in charge of a specific portfolio.
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