MAESTRO DI CAMERA. - Praefectus cubiculi Sanctitatis Suae (at the Roman imperial Court: magister admissionum), in Italian « m. di c. del Papa o di S. Santità » or introducer or usher. He is the second of the palatine prelates, after the majordomo, with whom, according to their respective responsibilities, he undertakes to direct and ensure observance of the ceremonial of the papal Court, of audiences, and of the Secret Chamber or Antechamber. He is charged with introducing into the presence of the pontiff dignitaries and all those who are admitted.
He enjoys the title of excellence and in the 16th–19th centuries was often invested with archiepiscopal dignity (cf. Notizie di Roma per l'anno 1725, Roma 1725, p. 231; Notizie per l'a. 1766, there 1766, p. 319 ff.). The office ends with the death of the pope. At the Lateran patriarchate, during the first development of the papal household, the functions of m. di c. seem to have been entrusted to the so-called secundicarius (v. VICARIUS). The under-m. di c., who is occasionally found as a member of the papal household, was called proximus ab admissionis. The designation m. di c. itself was not always specific to the office to which it is now attached. Under Niccolò III (1277), for example, five m. di c. are recorded, the last of whom is the auditor camerae. During the Avignon period the office acquired substance, and from the 15th century onward the chronological series of the m. di c. has been preserved (cf. under Pio IV: Th. R. V. Sickel, Ein ruolo di famiglia des Papstes Pius IV, Innsbruck 1893, p. 35; for the complete list, G. Moroni, s. v., XLI, pp. 132–39). In the 17th century the designation « m. di c. di N. Signore » was used for him. He has significant duties and prerogatives and replaces the prelatic majordomo in his absence, while he in turn is replaced by the cupbearer (v. FAMIGLIA PONTIFICIA). Among his other prerogatives is that of custodian of the papal seal (anulus piscatoris): upon the death of the pontiff he hands it over to the cardinal camerlengo, who has it broken. This custom is attested from the time of Innocenzo X (1644–55).
He is assisted in antechamber and audience ceremonies by the participating secret chamberlains (cubicularis intimi seu secret).