Inside life of Queen's 'best friend' and dresser for 30 years as she moves in (2024)

Angela Kelly is one of the Queen’s closest advisors and a near 30-year career as Her Majesty’s dresser has given her personal access to Britain's longest-serving monarch

Angela Kelly is the Queen ’s best friend and one of her most trusted advisors, according to sources.

The 69-year-old recently moved into Windsor Castle to help her Majesty handle the mobility difficulties that come with old age.

It is thought that Kelly will have her own suite in the castle and be a supportive presence around the Queen ahead of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

But who is Angela Kelly and what is known about her?

Kelly was born eight weeks after The Queen ascended to the throne in 1952.

She comes from a humble background and was one of six children born in Walton, Merseyside.

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Her family was Roman Catholic and it was her mother Teresa Bradley who taught her how to sew.

Eventually she began to make clothes for her dolls using fabric, starting a passion for fashion at a young age.

In October 1992, Kelly met the Queen for the first time by chance.

She was working as a housekeeper at the time to the then British ambassador to Germany Sir Christopher Mallaby.

The Queen and Prince Philip visited the ambassador’s house in Berlin during an official visit.

The story goes that the Queen asked Angela who would be the next guest and instead of sharing the information she remained tight lipped.

Months later Kelly received a phone call offering her a job as the Queen’s dresser.

It is thought that Kelly’s frank manner helped her land the royal job.

Bethan Holt, author of The Queen: 70 Years of Majestic Style, told the Evening Standard : “Angela doesn’t suffer fools, and part of her appeal for the Queen is that she isn’t afraid of her.”

Kelly has worked for the royal family for nearly 30 years since then and become one of the Queen’s closest aides.

Her official title is personal assistant, adviser and curator to Her Majesty The Queen.

The role has offered her unrivalled personal access to Britain's longest serving monarch during all the highs and lows of her reign.

So strong is the relationship between the two that Kelly was part of Her Majesty’s closest circle of staff known as ‘HMS Bubble’ when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.

Some of Kelly’s work will even be displayed during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations when the outfits she prepared for the Queen over the past 28 years are exhibited to the public.

There will also be a display with the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate, the garment worn by the Queen when processing from Westminster Abbey after being crowned.

Kelly was at the Queen’s side during many significant events in Her Majesty’s reign, but her own personal life has been tough.

She is a divorced mother of three whose children were brought up by their father Frank Wylie due to Kelly’s role with the royal family.

Her marriage to her third husband, Irish Guardsman Jim Kelly, suffered when she started working for Her Majesty and she spent weeks away from home on official visits.

However, Kelly’s devotion to the Queen and royal household has not gone unnoticed.

She was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 2006 and in 2014 she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Version of the Royal Household Long and Faithful Service Medal in 2014 for 20 years of service to the royal family.

Aside from working for the Queen, Kelly runs a fashion label which she founded with Alison Pordum, the Queen’s former in-house dressmaker.

It is believed that the Queen’s relationship with Kelly grew closer than ever after the death of Prince Philip.

The time was one of the most difficult of the Queen's reign and her closest advisors played an important role in supporting Her Majesty through it.

While many would struggle to have such a close and personal relationship with a figure as important as the Queen, Kelly has excelled at doing her duty for nearly three decades.