author Angela Kelly gives an in-depth, but dignified look behind-the-scenes as Queen Elizabeth II's Personal Assistant, Advisor and Curator (Jewellery, Insignias, and Wardrobe) since 1994; One crucial factor was the dress The Queen would wear for the momentous skydive. I had to be careful not to choose a colour that was strongly associated with any of the participating nations, too, so after much consideration, I chose peach. However, the colour wasn't the only factor, the dress also had to be designed perfectly to allow movement in the skirt as The Queen seemingly flew through the air." A fascinating glimpse of life behind the scenes in the Queen's household. As the Queen's Personal Assistant and senior dresser, Angela Kelly describes her numerous duties including consulting with Queen about suitable fashions for every occasion, caring for delicate fabrics and conducting advance visits to royal tour itineraries to plan the Queen's wardrobe. Kelly also describes the more unique aspects of her role including ironing on the royal train (following the rhythm of the train "like surfing") and letting the bookies know when to close the betting on the colour of the Queen's hat at Royal Ascot. The author uses the opportunity to remove the public's misconceptions about Queen and the royal family in this book. She tells us why we shouldn't believe these furtive details spread as rumors circulating in the crowd. Angela is the Dresser of the Queen and has been for the past 25 years. How she came upon this position and how her friendship with the Queen was so empowering and a breath of fresh air. Learning about what it takes to make the Queen's looks is astonishing and to just be a bystander in the room would have me in awe. It takes an army and Angela's team is one of those teams that are truly miracle workers. From designing her looks (up to two a day!) to her hats to her shoes, the Queen is always in style! And she's pretty down to earth too!

Angela Kelly handed final gift from Queen allowing her to Angela Kelly handed final gift from Queen allowing her to

I wasn't expecting Kelly to disclose any deep, dark secrets. Some things as best left private. I did; however, learn a lot more about the Queen than I knew before, which made this a most enjoyable read for me. There's little about the Queen's relationship with her children or grandchildren, but Prince Philip plays a starring role. The author is an admirer of that controversial character, claiming that his value to the Queen was that he ALWAYS told her the truth. I loved his blunt opinion of an outfit done in a loud plaid. Suitable for covering the sofa, was the way he put it, saving his wife the embarrassment of appearing in clothing unsuited for her petite figure.

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Together with British fashion designer Stewart Parvin, Kelly altered, remodeled and fitted the dress that Princess Beatrice of York wore at her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on 17 July 2020. The original dress was designed by the British fashion designer Norman Hartnell, who had originally created it for Queen Elizabeth II, the bride's grandmother, in the 1960s. [13] Nicholson, Abigail (19 September 2022). "Queen's Liverpool right hand woman attends her funeral". Liverpool Echo . Retrieved 26 September 2022. Kelly founded a fashion label, Kelly & Pordum, with Alison Pordum, who was also employed as the Queen's in-house dressmaker until 2008. Kelly is also the author of Dressing the Queen: The Jubilee Wardrobe and The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe.

The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and

That she and Prince Philip didn’t see each other for weeks after he retired from public duties in 2017 In 2008, Her Majesty was invited to Slovenia and Slovakia for a four-day State Visit. Three months before, I traveled with a small group of the Royal Household to both countries to do our usual recce ahead of the Royal visit. The author portrays the Queen as an intelligent woman with a well-developed sense of humor and a charming modesty. Her life's work (and first responsibility) is to serve the people of the British Empire and her ego is sublimated to that goal. If a hat designed to match that day's outfit turns out to be unflattering, she's unflappable. She won't have a temper tantrum and disappoint the people who've come to see her. She's the Queen and their servant. She must go through with her schedule and she MUST wear a hat. If it looks like hell, too damned bad. I enjoyed learning about Kelly's personal memories about trips abroad, especially when she came to Canada and worked with the Mi'kmaq in Nova Scotia and her special fondness for the province of Saskatchewan; Liverpool-born designer Angela Kelly designed the Queen's Royal Wedding outfit - In The Mix Today - News - Liverpool EchoAnyway! The lovely woman who wrote this book talked about…clothing! Duh what she created with her own vision; what she saw in high end boutiques it’s just amazing. And of course it discusses their special friendship. Quite touching. DREAM JOB A few of the photos are only of scenic locations (e.g. the Taj Mahal, the Sydney Opera House, etc.) with no one in the shots. It's not unenjoyable or enjoyable, you can skim long passages, it's somewhere between boring and a perfect example of 'meh'. 2.5 stars, at best.

Angela Kelly became the most important person in the How Angela Kelly became the most important person in the

Her Majesty needed to look glamorous on every occasion: there must not be a 'stand-out' outfit that overshadowed the rest, especially since she would be visiting two countries. There were also cultural sensitivities to take into account: would any particular colour be considered offensive or inappropriate?" Kelly founded a fashion label, Kelly & Pordum, with Alison Pordum, who was also employed as the Queen's in-house dressmaker until 2008. [15] Kelly is also the author of Dressing the Queen: The Jubilee Wardrobe and The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe. When I read how the Queen's "dresser" got permission to write this book, I thought of the sad story of the Queen's childhood governess, her beloved "Crawfie." Ms Crawford played a vital role in the development of Princess Elizabeth and her sister, but in retirement she made the mistake of writing a book about her time with the royal family. The book was completely positive and gives valuable information about the Queen's formative years. How the Queen ensured her close confidante Angela Kelly could remain living at her grace-and-favour home". Tatler. 12 September 2022 . Retrieved 26 September 2022. Are some of the detailed descriptions of Queen's private room discussed in the news and social media true?The way Queen Elizabeth II came to the London Olympics inauguration garnered much public attention. The author takes us to some new information that happened behind the scenes, how this whole procedure was carried out, and why the Queen agreed to do such a funny video with James Bond breaking the protocol. From Her Majesty’s trusted confidant and Dresser Angela Kelly LVO comes a lavishly designed book of never-before-seen photos of The Queen, Her wardrobe and Her jewels and features intimate anecdotes from Angela’s 25-year career working closely with Her Majesty. A truly unique keepsake and collectors’ item to be treasured. The replica of the royal christening gown. [8] [9] The original, which had been commissioned by Queen Victoria for the christening of her first child, Victoria, Princess Royal, was retired in 2004 by Elizabeth II for conservation purposes. [8] Kelly's replica has been worn by royal babies for their christenings since 2008. [10] And yet, when her long time Senior Dresser asked permission to write a book about working together, the Queen gave her enthusiastic approval, with (apparently) no strings attached. The Queen is a more intelligent woman than her mother and has a shrewd appreciation of the value of good publicity. She has the confidence to trust completely and it pays off. Angela describes the Queen in a personal light without revealing anything too personal and nothing scandalous. Queen Elizabeth is interested in the details of every aspect of her job and what is reflected to the world. I loved the stories of local tribes, people and markets from her visits supply her wardrobe. That QEII enjoys a good bargain and is known to use fabric she may have given 30 plus years ago today. QEII is also a practical joker who takes it as well as she gives it. Prince Phillip is a person you can rely on when you need an honest opinion (when asked about a questionable fabric choice he responded with "are we reupholstering the couch?" Angela clearly loves QEII and by extension her job.

The Other Side of the Coin – HarperCollins

This book is a highly enjoyable read. To my knowledge, this is the first book sanctioned by the Queen written by a staff member; a current staff member at that. Mary Angela Kelly, CVO (born 4 November 1957) is a British fashion designer, dressmaker, and milliner, who served as Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser to Queen Elizabeth II from 1993 until the monarch's death in 2022. [1] Her official title was Personal Assistant, Adviser and Curator to Her Majesty The Queen (Jewellery, Insignias and Wardrobe). [2] Early life [ edit ] a b Taylor, Elise (20 February 2018). "Who Is Angela Kelly, the Queen's Right-Hand Woman at London Fashion Week?". Vogue . Retrieved 4 August 2019. Newton, Jennifer (19 September 2022). "Queen's devoted best friend who was with her until the end pays her respects". mirror . Retrieved 26 September 2022. Hallemann, Caroline (18 July 2020). "Princess Beatrice's Stunning Vintage Wedding Dress Was Her "Something Old" ". Town and Country Magazine . Retrieved 18 July 2020.Update: I was interested (but not surprised) to learn that when the Queen retreated to Windsor Castle (after being widowed and in the face of the pandemic) the author was invited to live with her full time. Clearly, Ms Kelly was a cherished companion, as well as the keeper of the wardrobe. I'm not a clothes horse OR a follower of the Royals, but I was fascinated by Kelly's stories of her childhood as one of six children in a working class family in Liverpool. She started working at age fifteen and married and had three children by the time she was in her twenties. She was divorced when she was hired to take charge of the Queen's wardrobe. that the blue and yellow "EU" dress worn during the Opening of Parliament was purely unintentional! Mary Angela Kelly, LVO (born 4 November 1957, Liverpool), is a British fashion designer, dressmaker, and milliner, who served as Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser to Queen Elizabeth II from 2002 to the Queen's death in 2022. Her official title is Personal Assistant, Adviser and Curator to Her Majesty The Queen (Jewellery, Insignias and Wardrobe). Kelly, Angela (2019). The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-0008368364.