How the daughter of a simple docker managed to become the personal assistant of Elizabeth II: Angela Kelly

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In Buckingham Palace, Angela Kelly is called the AK-47 for her straightforwardness, energy and ability to defend her position in any conditions. It is thanks to her that the old-fashioned dull suits in the wardrobe of Elizabeth II were replaced by modern bright outfits, turning Her Majesty into one of the most stylish women. And while Angela Kelly did not even graduate from high school, let alone receive a professional education.

From seamstress to HR manager

She was born on November 4, 1957 in Liverpool. Her father was a simple docker, her mother sewed clothes to order, and in addition to Angela, four more children were growing up in the family. She was only eight when the girl was first allowed to sit at an old Singer sewing machine, and at 15 she had already left school to work in a sewing factory.

At the age of 18, the girl was already expecting her first child, a month after the birth of the baby she got married, but her marriage collapsed just a few years later. Angela was left alone with three children in her arms and without much livelihood. Fortunately, the father of the children did not abandon the heirs, and Angela, with a clear conscience entrusting the care of the kids to their dad, went to work in Germany, becoming a simple waitress in an officer's canteen at a British military base.

The second marriage, this time with a German citizen, turned out to be even shorter than the first, and after being fired from the canteen, the girl was hired at the residence of the British ambassador. Very quickly, Angela managed to make a career and lead the staff service.

Her living conditions improved significantly, she was able to invite her children, who often began to visit their mother during the holidays. Then Angela made another attempt to arrange her personal life and became the wife of Sergeant Jim Kelly. In memory of this short marriage, Angela retained her husband's surname.

In 1991, the Queen Mother was received at the ambassador's residence, and Angela Kelly was entrusted with custody of the high-ranking guest. The employee of the residence was helpful and efficient, solved any problems with a smile on her face, and during her farewell to the mother of Elizabeth II, she heard a meaningful phrase that she would always have a job in England.

A year later, Elizabeth II herself and her husband were received in the same residence. And again, Angela was at her best: she prevented the desires of distinguished guests, met their servants and made friends with Peggy Howth, the queen's personal dresser, who, after 30 years of working in the royal family, began to think more and more about retirement.

Saying goodbye to the staff, Queen Elizabeth II thanked everyone, honoring Angela Kelly with a personal gift: an autographed photo and a needle box with a royal monogram. Shaking hands with the head of the personnel service, the Queen of Great Britain asked which of the distinguished guests was expected at the residence of the British ambassador. And I heard a very unexpected answer: this is confidential information. The answer discouraged the royal couple, and Angela even tried to return the royal gifts, considering herself not entitled to accept gifts after such a speech.

The gifts to her, of course, were returned, but even trying to explain that information about the guests could be disclosed to the Queen, we heard Angela Kelly's firm answer that the nondisclosure document she signed did not indicate any exceptions to the rules.

Royal confidante

It wasn't long before Angela Kelly returned to her homeland, having received news from Peggy Howte about her retirement. In London, Angela immediately applied for a job as assistant valet to Elizabeth II. Angela Kelly looked impeccable and elegant during interviews with the maids of honor, answered questions with restrained dignity and was hired.

She could have remained the valet's assistant, but agility, extreme openness, combined with a clear awareness of the rules and limits of what is permissible, very quickly set Angela apart from other servants. True, in her work, at the very beginning, she had to face a misunderstanding on the part of the royal designers responsible for the queen's wardrobe. But Angela Kelly managed to convince the queen to swap out some old-fashioned cuts for stylish modern silhouettes and brighter colors.

Once attending a discussion of new dresses for the queen, Angela, who was asked about her opinion on the jacquard fabric with a lurid pattern, offered for tailoring a suit, noticed that not every model could look decent in such a dress. She was unexpectedly supported by Elizabeth's husband, who asked with a slight grin if this was a new upholstery for the sofa.

The next time, the Queen herself asked Angela Kelly to evaluate the work of the designers. The former Liverpool girl has always been straightforward and immediately expressed her thoughts on this matter. After that, Elizabeth II asked to show Angela's own sketches, which were immediately approved, as well as samples of modern fabrics. It was then that a woman who did not even have a completed secondary education became the Queen's personal designer.

She drastically changed the fabric suppliers and the milliners who worked on the royal headdresses. Angela began to make some hats herself, and her duties now include wearing out the shoes of Elizabeth II, with which the assistant turned out to be the same size.

Angela Kelly's closeness to the queen often causes discontent on the part of other assistants, but the designer cares least of all about her attitude. She just diligently does her job, maintaining an even business relationship with Elizabeth II. When asked about their friendship, Angela Kelly shakes her head in the negative and assures: this is a very warm working relationship.

True, sometimes the queen can apologize and retire for a while with her personal assistant to drink tea and talk. They discuss the styles of suits and hats, but the assistant never tells anyone about her conversations with the queen. She is very loyal to Her Majesty and at the same time knows exactly the limits of what is permissible.

Angela Kelly personally chooses fabrics and styles, making sure that royal looks are combined with the setting in which the reception or event is held. It was she who convinced the queen to abandon natural fur in the wardrobe, found, at her request, jewelers restoring the precious jewelry of Elizabeth II, and created a replica of the royal baptismal shirt, which had been pretty worn out during use since 1841.

In 2018, Queen Elizabeth II became a guest of London Fashion Week for the first time, where she appeared with Angela Kelly, who personally convinced Her Majesty to take part in the event. The Queen's personal assistant is responsible not only for the wardrobe, accessories, shoes and order in the royal chambers. For some time now, her responsibilities include caring for the Queen's health and liaising with her doctors.

Angela Kelly became the only person from the Queen's entourage to receive royal permission to write and publish her memoirs. Since the publication of the book "Little Princesses" by former queen governess Marion Crawford, such editions have been viewed solely as a betrayal. Angela Kelly has released two books, in 2010 and 2019, but none of them contain anything that could offend the queen or betray her little secrets.

For a quarter of a century, Angela Kelly has been with the queen. They can often be seen laughing together or discussing news. And recently, Elizabeth II herself said that she and Angela are a good team.

During her reign, 13 presidents have changed in the United States, 14 prime ministers in the UK, and 7 popes in the Vatican. Despite her very advanced age (the queen turned 94 in April 2020), she continues to participate in events and runs her family with a fairly firm hand.