The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) removed the ad after it raised eyebrows with its requirements for applicants to be “educated and polished, with excellent manners” and having been “raised in a socially appropriate background”.

Said to be funded by a philanthropic billionaire, the role would involve providing “continuous, specialised support” to a “young lady” set to begin architecture studies at university.

It also said the “specific location of the job isn’t yet known”, but would be in London, Cardiff, Newcastle or Lugano, Switzerland.

The advertisement has been criticised for, among other things, promoting inequality in the architectural profession, the Architects’ Journal reports.

Stephen Gage, professor at The Bartlett School of Architecture, said: “What makes this case extraordinary is the description of the tutor and the salary.

“The former is positively Edwardian and the latter is so large that I feel that the offer is such that I would call in Sherlock Holmes before advising any son or daughter of mine to take up the post.”