The position of Master of the Household was first created in the Household reforms of 1539. Originally there were four Masters. By the late seventeenth century this number had been reduced to one.

The post became a sinecure until, under Prince Albert’s reorganisation of the Household in the 1840’s, the Master was put in charge of the entire domestic establishment.

Nowadays, the Master makes full use of computerised catering administration and other measures to maintain cost efficiency.

The current Master of the Household is Air Marshal Sir David Walker OBE MVO.