Queen’s dresser lifts the lid on Her Majesty’s style secrets — from her love of bargains to her infamous ‘EU’ hat
AFTER 25 years as the Queen’s personal dresser, Angela Kelly has written a book about her experiences – with Her Majesty’s blessing.
Here is a selection of royal tales from The Other Side Of The Coin, serialised in Hello! magazine.
Walking in her shoes
ANGELA has literally walked in the Queen’s shoes – to break in the loafers that Her Majesty prefers.
She says: “As has been reported a lot, a flunky wears in the Queen’s shoes to ensure they are comfortable. And yes, I am that flunky.
“The Queen has little time to herself and no time to wear in her own shoes, and as we share the same size it makes the most sense this way.”
A handy guide
MICHELLE Obama caused a stir a decade ago when she put a friendly arm around the Queen’s shoulder.
Many people believe this is totally against protocol, but Angela insists her boss does not object to a genuine show of affection.
Angela says: “It was a natural instinct for the Queen to show affection and respect for another great woman, and there is no protocol that must be adhered to.
“When fondness is felt or the host of a state visit goes to guide Her Majesty up some steps, it truly is about human kindness, and this is something the Queen will always welcome warmly.”
Her modesty
DESPITE Buckingham Palace having 775 rooms, the Queen uses only six of them herself.
Angela says: “Her Majesty is a very modest lady and only occupies a few rooms, which aren’t vast – there is space for very little furniture, just the odd wardrobe or chest of drawers.”
Watching the royal pennies
ANGELA looks for samples in bargain baskets or the royal stock room when in need of inspiration for new outfits.
She writes: “The Queen loves a bargain and sometimes I luck out with a piece of material I can conjure into a dress for her.”
Co-ordination
THE Queen has a colourful collection of umbrellas to match her dresses and hats.
Angela investigates the colour schemes of venues that the Queen will be attending to make sure she doesn’t wear anything that will clash with the decor.
After joining the royal household in 1994, Angela started a diary of the fabrics that had been worn, to make sure they alternated regularly.
Hats of state
WHEN the Monarch wore a blue hat with yellow flowers to the State Opening of Parliament two years ago, commentators speculated on its resemblance to the EU flag.
Some observers wondered if the neutral head of state was indicating her opposition to Brexit.
But Angela says the design she had created with milliner Stella McLaren was coincidental: “It never occurred to Stella and me that people might think we were copying the EU flag.”
April fools
AWAY from formal duties, the Queen enjoys sharing jokes with her staff.
On April Fool’s Day, Angela convinced the Queen that a stuffed toy version of a kookaburra bird was real.
She recalls: “I went to open the cage and she said loudly, ‘No! Don’t do that! It will fly away!’
"On realising she’d been tricked, Her Majesty smiled and then joked back, ‘You’re sacked!’ ”
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