The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe
COPYRIGHT
HarperCollinsPublishers
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
www.harpercollins.co.uk
First published by HarperCollinsPublishers 2019
FIRST EDITION
Text © Angela Kelly 2019
Cover layout design by Claire Ward © HarperCollinsPublishers 2019
Front jacket image is a composite of two photographs (© Nina Duncan) from the same series taken behind the scenes at a photoshoot by Chris Levine in 2003. Diamanté detail taken from a photograph of Her Majesty The Queen © Barry Jeffery. Back cover photograph supplied by the author.
A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library
Angela Kelly asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Find out about HarperCollins and the environment at www.harpercollins.co.uk/green
Source ISBN: 9780008368364
Ebook Edition © October 2019 ISBN: 9780008368371
Version 2019-10-28
CONTENTS
COVER
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
DEAR READER
LETTER FROM SAMANTHA COHEN CVO
FOREWORD BY STEWART PARVIN MVO
PROLOGUE
Chapter 1: Dressing The Queen
Chapter 2: Our Working Year
Chapter 3: The Eyes of the Nation
Chapter 4: On the Move
Chapter 5: The Eyes of the World
Chapter 6: The Things We Do For Fun
CONCLUSION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PICTURE CREDITS
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
DEDICATION
Your Majesty,
With humble respect I would like to dedicate my second book to you for allowing me to write about our personal working relationship that has grown over many years, and allowing me to share the details of it and to describe how we have come together on a trusted personal level. I will always be truly grateful. I cherish the time you have allowed me to have with you and the friendship you have shown me.
With love and gratitude,
Angela x
I would also like to dedicate this book to my wonderful family: Frank and Nicola Wylie, Paul and Sarah Wylie, Michelle and Simon Anson, and to my very special grandchildren – James and Scarlett Anson, Alex and Jacob Wylie. You have shared the experiences and the journeys with me and you have inspired me all the way to write this book. I could not have done it without you. I thank you so much for all the love, support and advice you give to me and in return I give you all my love and more.
The lesson you all taught me was: never underestimate young minds.
I love you, Granny x x x x
A letter from Angela’s grandson Jacob Wylie
Growing up in Windsor was an immense experience. The sheer bliss, peace and quiet and nature all around you. I am truly grateful to have been able to grow up in a place with such elegance and beauty, all thanks to my granny’s amazing accomplishment. Not many people can say, ‘My granny works for The Queen.’ Every time the subject is brought up I can’t help but brag about my tremendous gran and how proud I am of her. Her triumphs only get bigger and it renders me speechless; the stories and experiences she tells me about her working days astonish me, I could listen for hours. Words don’t even come close to describing how proud I am of my granny!
As I have grown up in Windsor since I was only a couple of weeks old, Windsor is a home for me, in the cosy cottage with the fire and the enormous grounds that lie around it. Ever since me and my brother were little kids, we were both curious about where the roads and paths would lead us, and we would go wandering off for hours exploring the river, bat caves, monkey puzzle tree, farm and bamboo trees. Staying in Windsor or Buckingham Palace is always the highlight of my week, and meeting The Queen is always a dream come true that I am grateful to enjoy. I am enormously proud of my granny and can’t wait to see her future endeavours.
Sincerely,
Jacob Wylie, age 15
A letter from Angela’s grandson Alex P. Wylie
I would just like to say how proud I am of my granny of what she has achieved. All through the fifteen years of my life, actually since my twin, Jacob, and I were a few months old, we have stayed in Marlborough House apartment, and then, when Granny moved to Windsor, into her cottage. We still stay to this day in Windsor and sometimes in Buckingham Palace.
As you can imagine I have the fondest memories that will never leave me. Visiting my gran in the summer is great. I remember on one occasion, when my brother and I were around twelve years old, every evening we would set out walking and I smile now thinking of how many alarms we set off in the grounds of Windsor Castle while we went exploring, looking into the bat caves and many other exciting places, steeped in history.
On another occasion we were playing in The Splash, which is a shallow part of a stream close to the cottage, although The Queen often goes there when she is in Windsor. As Her Majesty got closer she recognised us both, as she knew we were staying at Granny’s cottage. But so did the corgis. They came running up and started chasing us. They were very playful and they soon started playing in the water. Once again words can’t describe how proud I am of my granny for giving us so many magical moments.The memories will remain with me for ever and although we have grown up now, going to Granny’s is special.
Regards,
Alex P. Wylie, age 15
A letter from Angela’s grandson James Anson
When I read of or see my grandmother’s accomplishments, I feel both immense pride for her, and also a strong sense of inspiration in regards to my own goals. It often makes me realise how fortunate I am to be related to someone so talented in their work.
I was fortunate enough, in fact, to spend a lot of time in my childhood at places such as Marlborough House, Buckingham Palace, and Windsor Castle, and I’m thankful not only to be able to have access to such iconic institutions, but also to have made brilliant memories there. One of my favourite places to visit during my childhood was St James’s Park. I still enjoy going there in winter to see the Smews.
I am personally a massive fan of history; I aim to study history at university. In truth, I do owe a vast amount of my love for history to the fact that I have had access to some amazing places of great historical value for my entire life. I’ve formed my own memories in these places as well; memories I will treasure for many years. I realise how unique a position I am in and I’m very grateful to my grandmother for this.
James W. Anson, age 18
A letter from Angela’s granddaughter Scarlett Anson
I have always enjoyed watching Granny work and talking with her about her latest design or projects. I’ve been privileged to see and feel some of the fabrics that have gone on to become outfits. I also spend a lot my time drawing and painting, but I like concept art for video games. I enjoy character design and created my own characters based on myself and people I have read about in books. Granny has inspired me with her skills in colour matching and creating designs so I love to show her my art work to get her feedback.
Yours,
Scarlett Anson, age 13
DEAR READER
It took me some time to start writing this book. When I first asked The Queen if she would mind me writing another book, after Dressing the Queen in 2012, but this time about our close working relationship, I never thought in my wildest dreams that Her Majesty would say yes.
Once the initial shock was over, I found myself struggling. The Queen trusts me and she knows I would not write any intimate details or anything untoward about our friendship and working relationship, but, nevertheless, I still struggled.
I wanted to do this book justice. I wanted to be worthy of writing it, and to share with you the magical and engaging moments that have happened between Her Majesty and myself while we have been working together. The Queen may not have thought them magical, but I did and I still do.
During my twenty-five years to date of working with The Queen, many events and engagements have taken place. Her Majesty travels to and from Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Sandringham House, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Balmoral Castle, and spends numerous private weekends away, too.
With this book I would like to share with you the wonderful working life and relationship between Her Majesty and me. The Queen and I have fun and laughter, but there is a serious side to my work in which challenging and difficult decisions have to be taken – split-second decisions sometimes. I have to be quick and think on my feet. But it’s all in a day’s work. Someone has to do it – and I’m so glad it’s me.
I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did writing it. So, get yourself a cup of tea, sit down, put your feet up, and let me take you on a magical journey once again.
With love,
LETTER FROM SAMANTHA COHEN CVO
29 October 2019
This book documents the unique working relationship between Her Majesty The Queen and the woman who has been her Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser for more than two decades: Angela Kelly.
It gives a rare glimpse into the demands of the job of supporting the Monarch, designing Her Majesty’s clothes and hats, and matching them with exquisite Royal jewellery. Throughout her long reign, Her Majesty has become a fashion icon, renowned for her sense of style and understated elegance. Behind the scenes, Angela has worked quietly with her to create fashion that is unique, accessible to all, and allows The Queen to reflect the trends of the day subtly, and with grace.
The book also reveals the lengthy preparations needed before important State occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament. Most importantly, though, we gain privileged insight into a successful working relationship, characterised by humour, creativity, hard work, and a mutual commitment to service and duty.
On the many occasions I have worked with Angela in preparing for an important overseas or regional visit in the United Kingdom with Her Majesty, I have been struck by Angela’s endless enthusiasm and original ideas. She tries to make each Royal engagement memorable for those who will be seeing The Queen for the first time
Angela is a talented and inspiring woman, who has captured the highlights of her long career with The Queen for us all to share.
Samantha Cohen CVO
Assistant Private Secretary to The Queen (2011–2018)
FOREWORD
by Stewart Parvin MVO
I first met Angela one morning in the summer of 2001. She had come into my shop in Motcomb Street and was chatting to our saleslady, Gill Edwards. From Angela’s questions it became apparent that she needed a conversation with me. In those days our workroom was in the basement of the shop at Number 14 (previously the home of Royal couturier Ian Thomas), so I was immediately available. I ran upstairs to meet her and discuss her mystery client’s needs. She wanted to look at the quality of our workmanship, and I agreed straight away.
A few days later Angela reappeared and we had a lengthy discussion about fabrics. Her client couldn’t be seen wearing any of the items that we had in the main collection. The easiest way around this, I thought, was for us to pop downstairs and go through our archive: Angela could look at fabrics we had never used or had made into just one or two garments in previous seasons. I saw her delight as we pulled out tweeds, crêpes and silks – our mutual enthusiasm was infectious!
After we had taken cuttings from several rolls, I suggested that a few simple sketches to go with the swatches might help her client decide if I was the person she was looking for. Unbeknown to me, that was the start of our Royal journey.
Shortly afterwards I heard from Angela, who told me that her client liked four fabrics in particular: would it be possible for me to do sketches for each one?
I produced a pile of sketches offering three or four alternatives for each of the selected fabrics and waited for Angela to collect them. A week or so later she telephoned, delighted to tell me that her client had chosen several outfits, and she could now reveal that she herself was Senior Dresser to The Queen. She asked if I would like to make clothes for Her Majesty. After a few seconds’ disbelief I replied with an enthusiastic ‘Yes!’
In the early days, on occasion there might be an urgent request, and the lack of technology in our studio meant that we’d sometimes have to fax a design to Angela’s office to be discussed over the phone. As our relationship developed, Angela would often come to the studio – we later moved to a larger sewing room in West London – and we’d have fun as I proposed fabric combinations, buttons and trims. I would make preliminary sketches, Angela inspiring me with ideas that Her Majesty might like.
By now Angela, who had been creating off-duty clothes for Her Majesty, had started designing more formal outfits with a team of seamstresses at the Palace. I would often pop along to the in-house workroom and offer a helping hand to ease the process along, sometimes suggesting different techniques, interlinings, and other tricks of the trade. Over coffee in her office, Angela would show me her latest finds – such as exquisite laces and embroideries that she’d sourced on her travels and at shops such as London’s Joel & Son. We would drape the beautiful fabrics on stands, coming up with ideas for gowns for Her Majesty. No one knows better than Angela Kelly what is required of a Royal wardrobe, and it makes my end of the process so much easier. While sketching and choosing the ideas to put before Her Majesty, it’s been fascinating to see how Angela’s guiding hand often tends towards a bolder, more glamorous look.
At Joel & Son Fabrics.
These days we often meet at Joel’s as soon as they have their latest collection in stock to select prints that we will propose to Her Majesty. Often we find we’ve chosen the same design. We know, though, that either of us will come up with something fabulous for Her Majesty to wear.
Angela not only creates many wonderful outfits, she’s responsible for The Queen’s complete look. It’s fun to be shown into her millinery workroom, where, under Angela’s watchful eye, Stella McLaren creates so many of the eye-catching hats that Her Majesty now wears.
In fact, on several occasions we’ve worked as a team. Between us, we created the outfit The Queen wore for Prince Harry’s wedding: I designed several options for the coat and dress from the stunning silks Angela had chosen for the event, while Angela created the show-stopping hat that finished the iconic outfit.
We share so many fantastic memories of our times together from the start of our working relationship – when I had no idea who Angela was or who she worked for – to the present day.
When I look back at some of the iconic outfits we have both created, I feel such pride in what Angela and I have achieved.
Me and my pal at Joel & Son in 2019.
The Queen, wearing a Stewart Parvin outfit, with The Duke of Edinburgh during Trooping the Colour in 2016.
The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament in 2014.
PROLOGUE
Crowning Glory
During my twenty-five years of working closely with Her Majesty The Queen, I am lucky enough to have travelled to some of the most amazing places in the world. But one moment in particular makes me emotional every time: the sight of The Queen putting on her Imperial State Crown at the annual State Opening of Parliament. It is a truly special moment for me, and I am so privileged to play a small part in it. Whenever I see Her Majesty in a Diadem or a tiara, I am composed, but when she puts on the crown, it touches my heart.
We are alone behind the privacy screen in the Robing Room in the Houses of Parliament just before The Queen enters the Chamber to make her speech on behalf of her government. We are silent and serious, concentrating hard, and The Queen is deep in thought. When I have positioned the State Robe on her shoulders, she takes the crown off its cushion, and I watch as The Queen raises it above her head. The magnificence of that moment takes my breath away every time. I watch in awe while I wait for her to secure it. Then Her Majesty turns, gives me a smile, and lets me know that she’s ready to go. And for a moment, I am speechless. Luckily I don’t need to say anything and The Queen always says thank you, and I smile back.
The Queen has seen my emotions get the better of me quite a few times. This happens particularly at special events, such as when I dress Her Majesty for important events and State occasions. Once The Queen has the robe on and places the crown on her head, I feel so proud to be serving Her Majesty in such a unique position. Normally The Queen rolls her eyes and playfully tuts at me when she sees my eyes fill up! Even after all these years, I still find it overwhelming to watch her lift the crown. It is the ultimate reminder of just how lucky I am to be in the presence of The Sovereign, Her Majesty The Queen.
The Queen attending Derby Day in 2019
The Ambassadorial Residence in Berlin in 1992.
HOW IT
ALL BEGAN
Well, here I am at a certain age and still running around thinking that I am thirty years old – which my body is telling me I am not! So much has happened in my life – decisions made, paths taken – so let me take you back to where it all began.
It’s hard for me to believe that I was first introduced to Her Majesty The Queen more than twenty-five years ago. I could never have imagined the significance of that meeting. It was my first step along the road to changing my life.
It was 1992, when I was working as Housekeeper for the British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Christopher Mallaby and his lovely wife Pascal, Lady Mallaby, in their Berlin Residence. In June of that year, the Ambassador told me we were expecting a few high-profile VIP guests who were to visit the Residence to see if the house was suitable and large enough to accommodate them all that autumn. The grounds were also to be assessed for security. This was not common practice at the time, so we suspected that someone truly special might be coming. The checks were to be carried out within the month – three months before the possible visit.
The Ambassador trusted me and soon informed me that the guests would in fact be Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, with their accompanying staff. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought I would be looking after members of the Royal Household. During their stay, the guests would require bedrooms, of course, and all meals were to be served at specially agreed times. The Ambassador also explained that many private meetings would be held behind closed doors – meaning that the participants should not be disturbed, unless under extreme circumstances. My role was to ensure that Her Majesty’s personal staff were comfortable, equipped, and had a good working environment. Once I had familiarised myself with their requirements, in terms of any allergies, likes and dislikes with regard to food, I felt content that I could get the job done.
Service with a smile – Berlin, 1992.
October soon came around and the Royal visitors arrived at the Ambassador’s Residence. I remember being introduced to each member of the Royal staff: The Queen’s Page; The Duke’s Valet; the Travelling Yeoman and Miss Peggy Hoath, Her Majesty’s Senior Dresser. I was so impressed by their professionalism: everything was executed with efficiency and precision, from the delivery of the luggage to the unpacking of the cases. Over the course of the next four days, we all got to know each other well, and I spent quite a bit of time with Peggy, who was a lovely lady. She told me she had been The Queen’s Dresser for the last thirty-four years and was now considering her retirement. We agreed to keep in touch.
It wasn’t until the end of their visit that I finally got to meet Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh. Just before our guests departed, The Queen and His Royal Highness said their farewells to the household. I now understand that this is common practice: they like to thank the staff for their assistance in making the visit a success. I remember what a privilege and honour it was to be presented to The Queen and The Duke. I was even given a lovely photograph of them, alongside a beautiful needle case with EIIR inscribed on it.