Queen's Longtime Confidante Angela Kelly Speaks Out After Palace Departure
Angela Kelly, who served as Queen Elizabeth II's personal dresser and trusted aide for nearly three decades, has broken her silence in a rare interview. She revealed intimate details of her close relationship with the late monarch, including their morning ritual of dancing to ABBA's "Dancing Queen" in the Queen's bedroom.
Intimate Moments and Morning Rituals
Kelly described how she and the Queen would listen to Terry Wogan's Radio 2 show each morning. When ABBA's iconic song came on, the Queen would "move from side to side and sing" while Kelly danced around her. "Her Majesty loved singing and had a good voice. I didn't," Kelly told Vanity Fair. "I'd get carried away and be dancing all round her like I was at a disco, and the queen would tell me to 'move over' because I can't sing and we laughed."
The 68-year-old former dresser, who designed many of the Queen's most memorable colorful outfits, said these were "moments to cherish, to see the queen so relaxed." She emphasized their friendship extended beyond professional duties, with the pair chatting about "anything and everything" over tea, sharing jokes and anecdotes about their grandchildren.
Post-Palace Life and Windsor Estate Departure
Following Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022, Kelly's circumstances changed significantly. She lost her grace-and-favour home on the Windsor estate and announced on Instagram: "Getting ready to say goodbye. I am moving at last to my new home which I will be able to call My Home at last." She revealed her work phone had been disconnected and that she would be relocating to the Peak District near Sheffield, in a house provided by King Charles.
Kelly has had little contact with Buckingham Palace since her departure, despite six of her outfits for the Queen being featured in an upcoming exhibition at the palace called "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style." The exhibition coincides with what would have been the late Queen's 100th birthday anniversary.
Family Memories and Easter Traditions
Kelly shared nostalgic recollections of spending Easter holidays with the royal family at Windsor Castle. "The family would visit and she loved being granny," she said. "Her Majesty took her great-grandchildren out riding or walking. She did barbecues and fun things and she always washed the dishes, even when she was entertaining the prime minister."
She described the Queen as "just a normal loving family" member who would laugh if burgers were burnt during barbecues. "As long as they had extra to put back on, and as long as all the family were fed and watered, that was all right," Kelly recalled. "The Queen was just full of energy and a really cool granny, to be honest."
Career Beginnings and Royal Relationship
The daughter of a Liverpool dock worker, Kelly first met the Queen in 1992 while working as a housekeeper for the British Ambassador to Germany in Berlin. After the Queen visited the ambassador's home during a German trip, Kelly was offered the position as royal dresser just one year later upon returning to the UK.
Their relationship grew so close that Kelly would wear in the Queen's shoes to prevent blisters. She published two books with the Queen's blessing: "Dressing the Queen: The Jubilee Wardrobe" and "The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen," which revealed behind-the-scenes details of their relationship. A third book was reportedly planned but has not materialized.
Controversies and Palace Dynamics
Kelly's privileged position reportedly caused jealousy among other palace staff members. Once nicknamed 'AK47,' she once joked: "I don't have any more room for knives in my back." Prince Harry criticized her in his memoir "Spare," describing her as a "troublemaker" and claiming he had difficulties contacting her to arrange tiara use before his wedding to Meghan Markle.
King Charles was said to have concerns about the number of books Kelly published about the Queen's wardrobe, though all were done with the monarch's approval. Despite the controversies, Kelly maintains: "We both knew we had trust, loyalty, and understanding. The Queen was my best friend and I miss her every day."
