The Washer of the Sovereign’s Hands, Peter Houison Craufurd, has died aged 82.
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Craufurd performed the role when the 86-year-old monarch was in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, but he passed away last week aged 82, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Speaking in an interview prior to his death, he said: “We used to have to write to Buckingham Palace to offer to wash the monarch’s hands every time they were in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
“In his day, my father had to make that offer virtually every year, although it was very seldom accepted.
“More recently, we have been told by the Queen’s office that, as we have already washed her hands once, that is all she requires us to do. So now we have to wait until Prince Charles takes the throne before we do it again.”
Craufurd’s eldest son Alex Houison Craufurd is expected to inherit the role and get the opportunity to wash Charles’ hands should he become king.
The unusual job arose when Craufurd’s ancestors’ were given a farm by King James V, on the condidtion they had water and towels at the ready to wash his hands.
