Inside Camilla’s new Queen’s companions – and the surprising link to Meghan Markle

ONE of Camilla’s new Queen’s companions has a surprising link to Meghan Markle.

Six women have been appointed to accompany the King’s wife on her official and state duties, as the late monarch‘s ladies in waiting did.

AP

Camilla’s Queen’s companions have been revealed[/caption]

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Among them is the mum of Prince Harry and Meghan‘s matchmaker.

Lady von Westenholz’s daughter Violet von Westenholz was childhood friends with the Duke of Sussex.

The socialite is thought to be responsible for setting the royal and his future wife up on their first date back in July 2016.

She is the daughter of former Olympic skier Baron Piers von Westenholz, who is a close friend of Harry’s dad, King Charles.

It is understood Ms von Westenholz worked with Meghan before helping to set the pair up – meeting the ex-Suits star while directing press relations with Ralph Lauren.

She is thought to have worked with the Duchess on June 30 2016, just days before the blind date with Harry happened.

Ms von Westenholz was later a guest at Meghan and Harry’s lavish wedding in 2018.

Joining Lady von Westenholz as Camilla’s companions will be some of her close personal friends – Sarah Troughton, Lady Katharine Brooke, Lady Fiona Landsdowne, Baroness Carlyn Chisholm and Lady Sarah Keswick.

Their roles will be less extensive than the Queen’s previous ladies in waiting, however, and will be in attendance less regularly.

They will not be involved in correspondence or administration, unlike the ladies in waiting.

The six female assistants will not be paid, but will have their expenses covered.

Sarah Troughton is the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire and the King’s second cousin, while Lady Katharine Brooke is married to Sir Francis Brooke, the King’s representative at Ascot.

Lady Fiona Landsdowne is an interior designer, Baroness Carlyn Chisholm sits in the House of Lords as a Conservative peer and Lady Sarah Keswick is wife of British merchant banker Sir Chips Keswick.

The Queen Consort, 75, will also have a private secretary and deputy private secretary, Buckingham Palace announced.

She has also appointed Major Ollie Plunket as her equerry, acting as a personal assistant.

Meanwhile, the late Queen’s ladies in waiting Lady Susan Hussey, Mary Morrison and Dame Annabel Whitehead will now be known as ladies of the household.

They will assist the King when he hosts formal occasions at the Palace.

The Mega Agency

Meghan and Harry went on their first date in 2016[/caption]