Churchill was a devoted friend and trusted advisor of Queen Victoria. Churchill's father had been one of the men in attendance on Victoria's predecessor, William IV, and in 1854 Churchill was appointed as a Lady of the Bedchamber, a position that required her to accompany Victoria to ceremonies and public engagements. Churchill was to hold the position until her death forty-six years later, making her the longest-serving member of the queen's personal household. She was a member of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, Third Class.