Angela Kelly, who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s dresser for a quarter of a century, fondly remembers the late monarch’s lively spirit, revealing that she would often “dance and sing” along to ABBA’s music. In a heartfelt tribute, Kelly described the Queen as her “best friend.”
Throughout her years working closely with the Queen, Kelly noted that Elizabeth II was a “really cool granny,” especially when ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” came on the radio. The Queen couldn’t resist swaying from “side to side” to the catchy tune, highlighting her playful and spirited nature.
In what marks her first comprehensive interview since the Queen’s passing on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, Kelly offered a glimpse into the personal side of the monarch. Her reflections reveal the human touch behind the regal facade, something the public rarely sees.
Angela Kelly, now 68, hails from a humble background in Liverpool, the daughter of a docker and a seamstress. She began her royal journey in 1994 when she was appointed as an Assistant Dresser. Climbing the ranks, she eventually became one of the Queen’s closest confidantes and advisors.
During her tenure, Kelly experienced many cherished moments with the Queen, including mornings filled with music and dance as they listened to Radio 2 while preparing for the day. These shared experiences underscore the deep bond and trust that developed between them over the years.
These included listening to Radio 2 and dancing together while helping her get dressed in the mornings.
‘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,’ Ms Kelly told Vanity Fair.
‘They were moments to cherish, to see the queen so relaxed.’
While the Queen was deeply committed to her duty and country, she also loved her role as a ‘grandmother’, Ms Kelly added.
Angela Kelly (right) is seen here with Elizabeth (left) and Vogue editor Anna Wintour during a show at London Fashion Week in 2018
Ms Kelly, who remained by the Queen’s side until her death nearly four years ago, also gave insight into her choice of Easter decorations: ‘Fluffy chicks and chocolate eggs’.
She added that Her Majesty wasn’t above ‘washing the dishes’ during the royal family’s idyllic summer holidays at Balmoral Castle, and always laughed if her husband, Prince Phillip, ‘burned the burgers’ while barbecuing.
Ms Kelly said: ‘She did barbecues and fun things and she always washed the dishes, even when she was entertaining the Prime Minister.
‘If the Duke, or whoever was cooking, burned the burgers, she’d just laugh. The queen was just full of energy and a really cool granny, to be honest.’
Ms Kelly began working for Elizabeth in 1994 before becoming her personal assistant and senior dresser in 2002.
She was known as a bubbly and hard-working royal aide who kept the late Queen’s style relevant and even added a touch of bling.
Elizabeth valued the opinion of her personal assistant and gradually over the years gave her free rein when helping her create a look for an event.
Despite the late monarch’s advancing years, she had been prepared to embellish her style – under Ms Kelly’s direction – as a nod to modern times.
A pair of 3D glasses worn by the Queen during a film demonstration in Canada in 2010 were given a touch of glamour by Ms Kelly – Swarovski crystals forming the letter Q on their sides.
During lockdown, when the Queen isolated with a small group from her household dubbed ‘HMS Bubble’, Ms Kelly was thought to have been part of the team.
She once disclosed in an interview: ‘We are two typical women. We discuss clothes, make-up, jewellery.’
In addition to their love of fashion, Ms Kelly said they also shared a sense of humour and ‘had great banter between us’ during her interview with Vanity Fair.
Ms Kelly, who worked for the Queen for over 25 years, told Vanity Fair what the late monarch was like behind closed doors during a recent interview
Ms Kelly said the Queen usually began her day by listening to the Terry Wogan show on BBC Radio 2 and could not resist ABBA’s disco-pop hit Dancing Queen.
‘When the song came on, she loved it, and both of us would dance.
‘The queen would move from side to side and sing,’ Ms Kelly continued. ‘Her Majesty loved singing and had a good voice. I didn’t. 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.
‘They were moments to cherish, to see the queen so relaxed.’
Ms Kelly, who now lives in Sheffield, ended the interview on a bittersweet note as she said Elizabeth was ‘my best friend and I miss her every day’.
In March 2023, Ms Kelly was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in recognition of her service to the Queen, as part of a special set of ‘Demise’ awards.
Awards under the RVO are in the King’s gift and are bestowed independently of Downing Street to people who have served the monarch or the royal family in a personal way.
The following month, it was revealed that the King had secretly gifted Ms Kelly a new home to honour a promise made by his mother.
Ms Kelly was promised lifelong accommodation by the Queen – but within months of Her Majesty’s death, the dressmaker was asked to vacate her cottage on the Windsor estate.
In September 2024, Ms Kelly paid a moving tribute to Elizabeth II while revealing she told her ‘I love you’ and ‘kissed her goodbye’ before her death.
Two years on from the Queen’s death, Ms Kelly said each anniversary will forever ‘break my heart’.
Ms Kelly also revealed she was still unsure why she told Her Majesty she loved her in her final moments.
In a poignant statement on Instagram Stories, she said: ‘It has been a long two years since I kissed you goodbye. I told you that I loved you and I still don’t know why.
‘That, although the first year I tried to move on, but I wouldn’t. The second year I tried to heal but I couldn’t. Maybe tomorrow will be a new start for me, although every anniversary will still break my heart.’
Finishing the heartfelt message, Ms Kelly wrote: ‘Patience is a virtue you passed down to me. I have waited and now I can see. You sent a guardian angel to help me through. You sent your strength down to me. My time has come and now I am free.’
