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Privacy NoticeThe late Queen always had a close-knit group of pals who provided an unwavering sense of support throughout her 70-year reign. This inner circle became even more crucial when she lost her “rock”, Prince Philip. Among those she turned to in challenging times are the Duchess of Edinburgh and her niece, Lady Sarah Chatto. Another key figure was her dresser, Angela Kelly. Angela worked for the Royal Family for over 25 years and published her book, ‘The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe’ in 2019 with the Queen’s approval. The book is filled with touching stories about their close bond, including a hilarious prank Kelly played on The Queen during a trip to Australia.
(Image: PA)
In 2006, Kelly accompanied The Queen on a Royal tour to Australia and mentioned they would see kookaburra birds. On April Fools’ Day, she bought a stuffed toy version of the bird and convinced a “shocked” Queen that it was a dead one. After buying the toy at a local market, Kelly placed it in a bird cage on the balcony outside the Royal suite in Governor’s House. She remembered: “The Queen looked outside and shouted ‘It’s a kookaburra!'” “I went to open the cage and she said loudly, ‘No! Don’t do that! It will fly away!’ Trying to keep a straight face, I solemnly told her it was dead.”
Queen Elizabeth pictured with Angela Kelly
(Image: Getty Images)
“She looked horrified as I walked towards her with outstretched arms and as she took the bird from my hands, she realised I had been winding her up.” The Queen was no stranger to a good joke and was known to have a fantastic sense of humour. She even had her own sneaky trick ready. Kelly went on: “‘April Fools!’ I said with a cheeky smile, and she only had two words for me, ‘You’re sacked!’ I was in fits of laughter as Her Majesty turned to His Royal Highness [Prince Philip] and said ‘Do you know what she has just done to me? Angela has had me!” This isn’t the only amazing revelation in Angela Kelly’s book as it also uncovered The Queen’s incredible hidden talent.
Queen Elizabeth II was good friends with Angela
(Image: Getty Images)
Kelly – who hails from Liverpool – shared: “We have a lot of fun together… The Queen has a wicked sense of humour and is a great mimic… She can do all accents – including mine.” Angela Kelly’s book is brimming with other treasures like this story and discusses her “uniquely close working relationship with the Queen”. In a new edition of her book, Angela shared how she became part of Her Majesty’s lockdown bubble at Windsor Castle and took on the role of her hairdresser. She penned: “From March 2020 onwards I washed The Queen’s hair every week, set and styled it, and even trimmed it when needed. My team named it Kelly’s Salon.”
Angela Kelly worked for the late Queen
(Image: PA)
She confessed that initially, ” The Queen knew I was nervous, and during the first two weeks, I was shaking. I had only done her hair once or twice before while on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. The Queen was so kind as she advised me on the very specific way to put the rollers in.” “As I grew in confidence I’m sure The Queen thought I was a professional and started shouting at me, ‘Don’t do that, do it this way. That’s right, you’ve got it, don’t change it.’ I was thinking, goodness me, I need a gin and tonic. So while The Queen was under the dryer I said to her, ‘I’m off for a stiff drink because this is so stressful, getting it just right for you.'”.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnPrince PhilipRoyal FamilyQueen Elizabeth II
