Angela Kelly, dresser to the late Queen, has ‘unparalleled’ knowledge of the royal household
Angela Kelly, Queen Elizabeth II’s “best friend,” has an “unparalleled” knowledge of the royal family, royal experts say, amid claims King Charles may have gifted her a home to avoid a new memoir.
Mrs. Kelly, the late Queen’s confidante and stylist for over 20 years, is leaving her stately cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle for a new life in the Peak District – 180 miles away.
She has written two books and is believed to have had the Queen’s blessing to write a third about Her Majesty’s love of dogs as a gesture of thanks for Angela’s years of service, and also to provide some financial security for her future.
But a source has told the Mail that the King’s provision of a home for the duration of Angela Kelly’s life has almost certainly come with obligations.
Royal biographer Tom Bower said today that the king “wants to hide even more revelations”.
King Charles pictured attending a Sunday service earlier this year at St Lawerence’s Church, Castle Rising, Norfolk
Angela Kelly outside her home in Windsor, which she leaves after the Queen’s death
Royal seamstress Mrs Kelly, pictured right with her ‘best friend’ the Queen and Anna Wintour in 2018
Although Angela Kelly (pictured with Queen) was not thought to be on official duty at the time of the Queen’s death on September 8, she was among a handful of close associates who stood by her side during her final days in Scotland.
He told MailOnline: ‘Charles knows better than anyone how important it is to keep keyholders close and completely still. Paul Burrell. Diana’s valet caused chaos when he published his “memoir” and pocketed more than £1 million.
Plagued by publicity-seeking Princes Andrew and Harry, King Charles wants to keep more revelations under wraps. I’m sure he’ll take care of Angela Kelly like a hawk—a very generous hawk.”
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added: ‘The phrase ‘the old order changes and gives way to new’ certainly applies to royal employees when the monarch, to whom they were close, dies.
King Edward VII dismissed Queen Victoria’s confidant, Abdul “de Munshi” Karim. Diana’s self-proclaimed “rock”, her butler, Paul Burrell, was involved in a sensational court case in which he was acquitted.
Angela Kelly, Queen Elizabeth’s personal assistant and senior dresser for 20 years, has made it clear on Instagram that she is frustrated with the way she is being treated by King Charles.
“She leaves her Grace-and-favor home on the Windsor Estate and moves to Yorkshire, to a house said to have been given to her by the King, which will fall into the hands of the Crown on her death. Her work mobile is disconnected. She’s not happy.’
Mr Fitzwilliams also said Ms Kelly’s insider knowledge of the royal family would be ‘unparalleled’.
He continued, “She produced two books that were unique in that they emphasized her closeness to the Queen, whom she no doubt dressed exquisitely. Yet it has been reported that King Charles considered some of the photos she used to be inappropriate.
“The likelihood is that her new home has been gifted with the understanding that there will be no further revelations about her relationship with the Queen or any royal affairs.
‘Her knowledge of life in the Royal Family for nearly 30 years would be unparalleled. King Charles knows the trouble this can cause, as Harry’s memoir Spare recently showed all too clearly. According to reports, the Sussexes were asked to leave Frogmore Cottage the day after its publication.’
Angela shared a photo of her garden in Windsor before she moved and revealed she’s moving to the Peak District
She said under the garden statue, “Ready to say goodbye. I am finally moving into my new house that I will finally be able to call My Home’
Ms Kelly posted memes in a series of Instagram stories about positive thinking and ignoring negativity and being ‘too old’ to worry about people who don’t like you
The agreement usually means a non-disclosure agreement, preventing interviews or memoirs on royal service.
A friend said, “Could she make a lot of money with all she knows?” You bet she can do it.’
In the past, Ms. Kelly talked about spending time in America, where she would almost certainly be in demand on the TV chat show circuit. Such a prospect would give Palace aides palpitations.
As Prince of Wales, Charles would have been aghast when Mrs. Kelly got permission from his mother to write a series of books about her life with the Queen.
Friends of fiery Mrs Kelly, the daughter of the Liverpool longshoreman known to the AK47 for her temper, feel she has been mistreated after such faithful and dedicated service and say she has once again fallen victim to the’ property carousel’ of the king.
As she prepared for a new life in the Peak District, 180 miles from Windsor, she was unusually candid on her public ‘Agenthighheels’ Instagram account this week.
Ms Kelly, 65, poignantly posted a photo of her garden, telling friends: ‘Ready to say goodbye. I am finally moving into my new house that I will finally be able to call My Home.’
In response to a friend, she posted: ‘I’m moving to the Peak District just beyond Sheffield so not too far from family. My work phone is disconnected, but hopefully you got this one… Looking forward to my new adventures [with smiling emoji]’.
Her Instagram stories from last Friday suggest she was defiant to the end. She posted, “I’m too old to worry about who likes me and who doesn’t!” I have more important things to do! If you love me – I love you! If you support me, I support you! If you hate me – I don’t care!’
She followed that up with a Gif of a child singing, “I can’t be negative today.” Positive vibes, positive vibes!’
Ms Kelly was praised for revamping the Queen’s image with outfits in striking colors and hats to match. As Her Majesty’s health declined, Mrs. Kelly became more of a personal assistant. The monarch had once said to her, “We could be sisters.”
On the day of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral last year, Ms Kelly described it as ‘a very sad day for me today’. I said goodbye to my best friend.’
Many in royal circles expected her to receive a lifelong shelter after her decades of service to the late monarch.
She was recently recognized by King Charles in a special award on the occasion of the Queen’s death.
But eyebrows were raised when she only became a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, rather than a Dame Commander as might be expected.
But despite – or perhaps because of – Ms Kelly’s close relationship with the Queen, some in the royal household distrusted her, and an insider suggested to the Mail on Sunday that perhaps “scores were being settled”.
A source told the newspaper: “She has been told she will have to move soon. It’s a nice little place on the Windsor estate and it was handy to see her grandson, who was at university nearby.
‘But the king has made it clear that under the new regime people will have to cut off their clothes. It is clearly not the king’s custom to accommodate people who no longer work for the monarchy.’