Stenographers of the King

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 10, 15 September 1933, Page 48

Stenographers of the King

P° you know that a sreat deal of ' . the King’s correspondence is handled by women? . Before the war, says the "Sunday Despatch" there were. but two or three shorthand typists employed at Buckingham Palace. ‘To-day there are 25, and women occupy some extremely responsible posts in the clerical estalblishment in the Royal Household... The post of Registrar in the department of the King’s Archives is held by Miss M. Mackenzie, M.A. Her post is an interesting one. All thé letters and correspondence of the King which will eventually form material for the future ‘historian are preserved in the Archives Department at the Palace. They are in charge of Miss Mackenzie who is brought from time to time inte personal contact with the King in regard to her work. Under her are two assistants, Miss L. Smith and Miss Edith Jones. Of the actual shorthand typist. staff Miss J. Webster probably holds the most important position. She is the chief typist in the Lord Chamberlain’s office and part of the work consists in the sending out of the "commands" to attend their Majesties’ Courts, which at certain times of the year keep her extremely busy. In the Private Secretaries’ office, Miss Alcock and Miss King are the chief shorthand typists, and much. of the King’s correspondence passes through their hands. No actual regulations prevail in the Royal Household with regard to the attire of the women clerks and typists, but the Queen’s wishes on this matter are well known, and are strictly observed. o .