A major exhibition celebrates the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth with the largest display of her iconic wardrobe to date. Among the highlights are vibrant outfits designed by Angela Kelly, the late monarch’s personal dresser and close confidante.
Trusted Bond and Shared Moments
Angela Kelly served as the Queen’s dresser, crafting many of her most colorful ensembles and managing her jewelry collection. The two women shared intimate conversations over tea, exchanging jokes, stories about their grandchildren, and discussions on any topic. With the Queen’s approval, Kelly authored two books detailing her role in curating the royal wardrobe.
The Playful Prank Down Under
During a 2006 royal tour of Australia, the Queen expressed a desire to spot a kookaburra. Kelly located a stuffed toy version at a Sydney market and devised a lighthearted trick. In her book The Other Side of the Coin, Kelly recounts placing the toy in a small cage on the balcony at Governor’s House.
She alerted the Queen to a “funny-looking grey bird” outside. The Queen peered out and exclaimed, “It’s a kookaburra!” As Kelly moved to open the cage, the Queen shouted, “No! Don’t do that! It will fly away!” Kelly then deadpanned, “It was dead.”
The Queen looked horrified until Kelly burst out, “April Fool!” Her response was swift: “You’re sacked.” Laughing heartily, the Queen turned to Prince Philip and said, “Do you know what she has just done to me? Angela has had me!” The toy later joined the Queen’s private sitting room at Windsor Castle.
Life After the Queen
Following Elizabeth II’s passing, Kelly vacated her grace-and-favour home on the Windsor estate. She shared on Instagram that her work phone was disconnected and announced her move to a new home in the Peak District, near Sheffield, provided by King Charles.
Six outfits designed by Kelly feature in the Buckingham Palace exhibition Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style. Despite limited recent contact with the Palace, the 68-year-old reflected fondly on private moments.
Cherished Memories of Joy
Kelly described dancing to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” in the Queen’s bedroom. “Every morning the Queen would listen to the Terry Wogan show on Radio 2. When the song came on, she loved it, and both of us would dance,” Kelly recalled. “The Queen would move from side to side and sing. Her Majesty loved singing and had a good voice.”
During Easter holidays at Windsor, the Queen embraced her role as granny. “The family would visit… She took her great-grandchildren out riding or walking. She did barbecues and fun things and she always washed the dishes, even when entertaining the prime minister,” Kelly said. “It was just a normal loving family… The Queen was full of energy and a really cool granny.”
