Weirdest jobs in history: Royals once had shoe testers to save kings and queens from shoe bites

Ever bought a stiff new pair of leather shoes, only to walk home with bloody heels and a vow to never leave the couch again? We've all been there, those first few wears of a new pair of shoes feel like medieval torture. Now imagine you're the King or Queen, striding into state banquets or charity walks with the world watching. No room for limps or winces. Enter one of history's weirdest gigs: the Royal Shoe Tester (or "Shoe Breaker-Inner"), whose sole job was to wear a royal's new shoes to ensure it doesn't bite or give blisters later when worn by the King or Queen. Interestingly, the later Queen Elizabeth II had a royal shoe-tester to ensure her shoes were comfortable and wearable. This might sound funny at first, but it is also equally funny - because even royalty needs feet that don't scream.Picture Queen Elizabeth II, calendar packed with ribbon-cuttings, garden parties, and globe-trotting diplomacy. Amid that whirlwind, who has time to "break in" shoes? New leather needs flexing - walking, bending - to mold comfortably. Without it, blisters lurk like sneaky courtiers. Royals couldn't risk a public "Ouch!" Stuart Parvin, the Queen's designer for 11 years, spilled to the Evening Standard: "The shoes have to be immediately comfortable... She can never say, 'I'm uncomfortable, I can't walk anymore.'" Enter the tester: a staffer with matching size 4 feet, padding palace carpeted halls to soften those stilettos. Protocol added flair - they wore beige socks first, ensuring hygiene and a gentle wear-in. Practical? Absolutely. Pampered? Just a tad.No shadowy servant here - the role belonged to Angela Kelly, the late Queen Elizabeth II's trusted Personal Assistant, Dresser, and Curator. In her tell-all book 'The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, The Dresser and The Wardrobe', Kelly revealed she was the one stomping around in those royal flats. Why her? Same shoe size (size 4, as per reports), her unwavering loyalty, and constant access to the Queen! The Queen, ever gracious, had precious little downtime - duties from dawn to dusk. Kelly's job extended beyond outfits: breaking shoes meant Her Majesty could step out flawlessly, every time. It's intimate, almost sisterly - two women ensuring poise amid pomp.This wasn't a one-off royal quirk. History brims with odd royal roles to dodge daily woes. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs had "wig testers" for lice-free locks. Versailles courtiers "broke" Marie Antoinette's corsets. Medieval kings employed "bed warmers" (yep, humans). The shoe tester fits perfectly, practical fixes for elite lifestyles.So, the next time you crib about your job being boring or weird, simply think about the royal shoe tester/breaker and that might bring a smile on your face.