Professor Anne Curry became the first female herald to take part in the royal procession inside Westminster, having been appointed to the post of Arundel Herald Extraordinary on Monday.

The post of herald dates from medieval times when they had the dangerous task of carrying messages between opposing generals on the battlefield.

Today, however, the heralds are experts on such things as history and genealogy and provide advice on anything to do with the peerage and royal ceremonies. They also have a role in all U.K. state ceremonies and care for the vast historical archive of heraldic material gathered over the centuries.

Professor Curry, who is an expert in medieval history, is not the first woman to take part in the procession itself, as many of the Queen's Ladies in Waiting have previously accompanied her through Parliament.

This is the announcement by the College Of Arms

"The Earl Marshal, with the consent of Her Majesty, has appointed Anne Elizabeth Curry to the office of Arundel Herald Extraordinary. Professor Curry is a distinguished medieval historian with research interests centered on the wars between England and France in the later middle ages. In particular she has studied and written on the Battle of Agincourt, Joan of Arc, and medieval soldiers, publishing numerous books and articles on these subjects. She played a leading role in the creation of the medieval soldier online database, and chaired the Agincourt 600 Trust which marked the 600th anniversary of the battle.

Professor Curry has also been Chair of the Battlefields Trust, a Trustee of the Royal Armouries, President of the Historical Association, Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society and Master of the Fletchers’ Company. She grew up in Chester-le-Street, co. Durham, before studying at Manchester. Her academic career took her to Teesside and then to Reading, before she was appointed a Professor at the University of Southampton. She went on to be Dean of Humanities before retiring in 2019. She is now Emeritus Professor of Medieval History.

Her Majesty's Warrant of Appointment, which was dated 3 May 2022, was issued in time for Anne Curry to take part in the State Opening of Parliament on 10 May, the first woman herald ever to have done so".