Latest news with #AngelaKelly
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Queen Elizabeth's senior aide gives approval to new royal play
Queen Elizabeth's senior dresser Angela Kelly is a big fan of a new play about her relationship with the monarch. Daisy Goodwin's By Royal Appointment was inspired by the late monarch and her personal assistant's working relationship and Daisy revealed Angela actually attended a performance of the play and was impressed with how 'true to the Queen' it was. Daisy told HELLO! Magazine: 'She wrote me such a sweet note afterwards to say how much she'd enjoyed it. She felt it was truthful and it had made her well up. 'I thought that was so impressive. It takes a lot of nerve to watch something that's meant to be you on stage. She was big enough to see that what I've done was not her but true to her position. I think she thought it was true to the Queen so I was thrilled by that.' Daisy also spoke about how Angela's circumstances have changed since the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022, going from a role 'at the heart of the court' to obscurity. She said: 'You go from having been one of the most powerful people at the heart of the court to someone whose services are no longer required and I thought 'here is a great story'. 'I didn't want her to feel exploited but now that she's seen it, she knows it's an affectionate portrait of the Queen and a realistic portrait of her. 'I imagine that in a world of courtiers, to have someone like Angela, who is not to the manor born, in a position of power, must have been quite tricky. She didn't suffer fools gladly.' And, Daisy was also fascinated by Queen Elizabeth's relationship with fashion. She explained: 'Here is a woman who isn't interested in fashion at all. What she wanted to wear was a Barbour or a headscarf. And yet she was the most famous clotheshorse in the world.' By Royal Appointment is currently on a national tour with Anne Reid as the Queen and Caroline Quentin as the dresser.
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Joan's tirade against acting legend all in the name of art, dahling...
Why did Sir Keir Starmer opt for dinner with Trump rather than welcoming the victorious Lionesses to No 10? My source whispers that the reception on Monday could have been held on Tuesday morning, when the Prime Minister was back from Scotland. It wasn't the only issue. When planning the ride down The Mall, the FA thought a royal would be at the Palace to greet the team. Alas, William had returned to his holiday after attending the final, the King (no football fan) wouldn't fly down from his annual fortnight at the Castle of Mey and Anne was also in Scotland. Other working royals were 'unavailable'. What about Princess Beatrice? She had to watch proceedings kerbside with the masses. Letting Bea and other young royals invite the Lionesses to the Palace for drinks could have been a PR triumph. Is the forthcoming Buck House exhibition of the late monarch's dresses, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life In Style, final confirmation of the banishment of HM's beloved dresser Angela Kelly? Having styled her for the last 20 years of her life, Angela was swiftly evicted from her grace-and-favour Windsor home despite claims that she was allowed to stay there after the monarch's death. The King isn't a fan. He put the exhibition in the hands of Caroline de Guitaut, Surveyor of the King's Works of Art since 2023, who is more used to Fabergé than fashion. Evergreen Joan Collins portrays Wallis Simpson opposite Isabella Rossellini as the Duchess of Windsor's secretary Suzanne Blum in The Bitter End. 'Isabella and I had to film the denouement – a furious, angry scene in which I berated her,' recalls Joan, pictured as Simpson in the movie. 'Staring intently into her eyes as I delivered venomous vituperations, I was suddenly disturbed by the realisation that I was telling Ingrid Bergman's daughter to bugger off.' When Fake Or Fortune? co-host Fiona Bruce last examined a painting purportedly by Winston Churchill, in 2015, she drew a blank. Despite overwhelming evidence, the compiler of the official catalogue of the ex-PM's art, David Coombs, refused to authenticate it. Five years later, proof from the Churchill Archive overturned that decision. Last week, Fiona and art dealer Philip Mould returned with another Churchill gem, which again failed to pass muster – because there was no one willing to verify it. Coombs has retired, the Churchill Art Committee wouldn't get its hands dirty and suggested auction houses could authenticate it. Auctioneers said it wasn't their job. That left owner Barry James losing a possible £600,000. He'd bought it for £140 at an open-air art sale. Celebrity farmer Jeremy Clarkson announces cheekily: 'If you're flying the Apache gunships over Diddly Squat today, can you hover over the wheat for a bit. It still needs drying.' The Army Air Corps tweeted: 'Hi Jeremy, that was us. Wheat drying wasn't in the mission brief, but if Diddly Squat ever needs close air support from the world's most advanced gunship you know where to find us.'
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside Queen Elizabeth's private dress fittings: Clear decisions, thoughtful details and a few furry companions
Queen Elizabeth was widely admired for her consistently polished appearance. She had a distinct style formula - favouring shift dresses paired with tailored coats - and often chose bright colours to ensure she stood out in crowds of well-wishers. Her impeccable presentation was the result of careful planning and a long-standing collaboration with Angela Kelly, her senior dresser of nearly 30 years. In her book Dressing The Queen, Kelly offers an intimate look into the meticulous fitting process, which could last up to half-a-day for a single session. These private fittings were attended by Elizabeth herself, Kelly, and the dressmaker - equipped with tools of the trade, including a wooden measuring stick, tape measure, scissors, a pincushion and tailor's chalk. 'I try to ensure that we have at least four or five outfits ready to be fitted at any one session to make the best use of Her Majesty's time,' Kelly explains. 'Often, we are joined by one or two of the Queen's corgis, who like to keep a watchful canine eye on things!' These sessions were designed to be 'relaxing and enjoyable' for Her Late Majesty. During the fittings, a toile (a mock-up of the outfit) would be tried on to check the shape, length, style and fit. This also gave the dressmaker an opportunity to make further adjustments - whether altering a pocket, neckline or collar. If a toile wasn't required, the outfit would be loosely tacked together to allow for easy modifications if needed. Hats, an essential part of the Queen's ensemble, were included in fittings to ensure the overall look was cohesive. Having previously reviewed the design through sketches or draped fabric on a mannequin, Elizabeth reserved the right to change her mind - but rarely did. Her decisiveness made dressing her both efficient and straightforward. This was especially valuable during the planning of her Diamond Jubilee Collection. Initially, Kelly anticipated a time-consuming process, given the Queen's packed schedule. She had a distinct style formula - favouring shift dresses paired with tailored coats - and often chose bright colours to ensure she stood out in crowds of well-wishers However, thanks to Elizabeth's clear decisions and the team's meticulous attention to detail, the collection came together smoothly and quickly. Kelly writes: 'The Queen's decisiveness and the way my team worked so well together, with such a close eye on the detail, meant that we were able to complete a record number of outfits in a relatively short space of time.' The completed garments and hats were typically presented to the Queen a day ahead of each engagement. She would try on every element to ensure the full look met her exacting standards. On the day of an event, Kelly and her team would prepare the entire outfit - laying out the chosen ensemble along with a selection of brooches, gloves, a handbag, shoes and a coordinating headscarf, in case of rain. Even the Queen's umbrellas were thoughtfully styled: always transparent for visibility, with a handle and trim colour-matched to her outfit - allowing her to stay dry while remaining clearly visible to the public. Every detail reflected her dedication to presentation and her respect for those who came to see her.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
How Queen Elizabeth's dresser caused her to break royal protocol with 'very unusual suggestion' during visit to honour indigenous community
Renowned for her vibrant fashion sense, Queen Elizabeth II understood the powerful role clothing could play in diplomacy and cultural respect. She worked closely with her Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser of 25 years, Angela Kelly, to create outfits that were not only stylish but also deeply thoughtful and culturally sensitive. Her wardrobe was often a tribute to the country or community she was visiting - whether through a symbolic colour choice, meaningful embroidery or a carefully selected piece of jewellery. A memorable example of this was during her June 2010 visit to Canada, when she met with members of the Mi'kmaq, an indigenous community known as the 'People of the Dawn,' celebrated for their exquisite beadwork. In her book Dressing the Queen, Angela Kelly recounts the honour of collaborating with the Mi'kmaq for this special visit. 'In recognition of their unique beading skills, I asked the Chiefs if the oldest generation of skilled women would like to embellish the yellow jacket that I had planned for the Queen to wear on the occasion of her visit.' This suggestion was highly unorthodox as Elizabeth's outfits were usually kept confidential until the moment of their debut. However, Ms Kelly felt that making an exception was entirely justified. She writes: 'This was a very unusual suggestion, since the Queen's outfits are normally kept secret for maximum impact on the day, but I felt it was the right decision, as their knowledge of beading goes back hundreds of years.' After the tour discussions, Ms Kelly and her team returned to London, where they created a design for the collar and cuffs of the Queen's jacket. The fabric was then sent back to Canada for the Mi'kmaq artisans to adorn. Their response was enthusiastic. 'They took enormous pride in being asked to undertake this work and returned it to us quickly for the final making-up,' Ms Kelly shares. The result was a beautifully unique garment that reflected both royal elegance and indigenous craftsmanship - a meaningful gesture of mutual respect. To complete the look, the Queen wore a special maple leaf brooch, offering a patriotic nod to Canada. This particular piece, showcased for the first time on that visit, featured a spray of enamel maple leaves edged with diamonds. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh embarked on an eight-day tour of Canada, starting in Halifax and ending in Toronto. Despite being greeted by light showers, Queen Elizabeth remained characteristically composed and elegant, wearing a classic trench coat, wide-brimmed hat and transparent umbrella, trimmed in the same cheerful yellow as the jacket she would later reveal The visit coincided with the centenary celebrations of the Canadian Navy and the marking of Canada Day - an occasion rich in national pride and pageantry. Despite being greeted by light showers, Queen Elizabeth remained characteristically composed. She stepped off the plane wearing a classic trench coat, teamed with a wide-brimmed hat and a transparent umbrella, trimmed in the same cheerful yellow as the jacket she would later reveal. The weather did little to dampen the Queen's spirits - her face lit with a radiant smile that reflected her genuine delight at being in Canada.
Telegraph
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The late Queen's most meaningful outfits are getting a new lease of life
' Never complain, never explain ' is a motto that has become synonymous with the late Queen Elizabeth II. Yet one way in which she did convey a surprising amount was through her wardrobe, using it to win favour in the countries she visited, to pay homage to her ancestry, or even to subtly communicate her political leanings. Now the influence of the people behind the monarch's wardrobe – the Designer, the Milliner and the Dresser – are the subject of a new play. Described by the playwright Daisy Goodwin as an 'emotional journey in 12 dresses', By Royal Appointment, which opens at the Bath Playhouse today, looks at how the late Queen's wardrobe was decided on behind the scenes. Particular focus is given to the late Queen's Dresser, Angela Kelly, and the considerable influence that she exerted as one of Her Majesty's closest confidantes – quite the feat for a working class girl from Liverpool. For costume designer Jonathan Fensom, it was a full circle moment, after he wrote his university thesis on the 'mute monarch', and what she was trying to communicate with what she wore. 'I don't think she was particularly interested in fashion per se, but everything was symbolic,' he explains. 'She wanted to create a sense of continuity within her own reign, and the longer it went on the more important that became.' Here, we decode eight of the outfits featured in the play and what the late Queen was trying to communicate with each of them. A fashion-forward choice for Prince Charles's Investiture, 1969 The first look focused on in the play is the pale primrose yellow ensemble and Tudor-style gable hat she wore to her son Prince Charles's Investiture as the Prince of Wales. 'From Daisy's point of view, it was the first really iconic outfit that everybody remembers who was around at that time,' explains Fensom. 'When the hat arrived we were all looking at it like an ancient treasure, because it's the most extraordinary shape.' Made by French milliner Simone Mirman (who created pieces for Christian Dior, Hardy Amies and Norman Hartnell), the hat was both a callback to when the Prince of Wales was first invested, and the fashion of the time, which had been heavily inspired by the success of Renaissance films like Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. 'Lord Snowdon designed the ceremony, and he wanted to be a bit fashionable about it,' explains Fensom. 'When you look at the Queen's dress, it looks very Pierre Cardin.' Parisian chic to say goodbye to the Duke of Windsor, 1972 For her state visit to France in 1972, the late Queen commissioned her go-to designers, Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies, to create a series of chic looks. During the trip, she took a brief detour from official duty to visit her dying uncle, the disgraced Duke of Windsor, at his home Villa Windsor just outside of Paris. She chose a chic jacquard coat for the occasion, no doubt keenly aware of both her uncle and his wife's fastidious approach to fashion. In a particularly touching move, the Duke reportedly fully dressed for his niece's visit, despite the great pain it would have caused him. Pretty in pink at her Silver Jubilee, 1977 It would be easy to think that the late Queen's choice of a Hardy Amies baby pink dress and matching hat for her Silver Jubilee was inconsequential. Yet as ever with the late royal, it was a sartorial Easter egg of sorts. That's because Her Majesty was subtly referencing the last Jubilee that she had attended – the Silver Jubilee of her grandfather, King George V in 1935 – when she had worn pink as a little girl. 'When the Queen asked for it to be made in pink, they first came back with a bubblegum pink version,' shares Fensom. 'Then she said, no, she wanted it to be the same shade as at her grandfather's Silver Jubilee.' It kickstarted something of a trend, with pink becoming a popular colour for members of the Royal Family to wear at subsequent Jubilees. At the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Sarah Chatto and Lady Frederick Windsor all wore variations of the shade. Black for her 'annus horribilis', 1992 1992 was a bad year for the late Queen on all accounts. Windsor Castle was severely damaged by a fire, Prince Charles and Princess Diana separated, and the Duchess of York was caught getting her toes sucked by a man that was not her husband Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. During a speech she gave at the Guildhall to mark 40 years since her accession, she famously dubbed it her 'annus horribilis'. Rather uncharacteristically, she chose to wear all black for the occasion, looking almost as if she was in mourning – perhaps indicating a flair for the dramatic. Royal purple at Prince Edward's wedding, 1999 In the years after joining the late Queen's staff, her Dresser, Angela Kelly, was credited with giving Her Majesty an image overhaul, adding some much-needed glamour to the wardrobe of the nation's grandmother. Case in point is the elegant lilac gown that the late Queen wore for the 1999 wedding of her youngest son, Prince Edward. Featuring sheer sleeves, elaborate beading on the bodice and a pleated skirt, and accessorised with her trademark gloves and a playful feathered fascinator, it was certainly more daring than what she wore to her elder children's weddings, though theirs had been much more high profile affairs of course. Emerald for a groundbreaking visit to the Republic of Ireland, 2011 When the late Queen visited other countries, she would often nod to their heritage via a symbolic brooch or colour palette that matched the flag. But on certain occasions, she also used her look to launch a more significant charm offensive. Such was the case in 2011, when she became the first monarch in over a century to visit the Republic of Ireland. Selecting an emerald green colour palette, she made her intention for friendship clear from the moment she stepped off the plane, immediately dispelling any anguish over the visit. For the state banquet at Dublin Castle later that evening, she changed into a specially made gown with particular significance, as Kelly described in her book: 'The Queen was very specific in her guidance: The gown featured more than two thousand silk shamrocks especially designed for the dress and sewn by hand.' The 'Brexit' hat, 2017 In 2017 the late Queen made headlines after arriving at the Opening of Parliament wearing a bright blue dress coat and a matching hat, which also featured yellow floral embellishment, thought to resemble the EU flag. Coming as it did just a few months after the Brexit vote, the monarch's choice of colour palette looked to symbolise a warmth towards Europe and even the suggestion that she would not have voted to leave. 'I think she had become very brave with her fashion then,' says Fensom. 'Because it was so obvious, wasn't it?' In a kilt and a cardigan in her last photograph, 2022 It is perhaps fitting that in her final image as monarch, the late Queen looked the most authentically herself, wearing a kilt, blouse and cardigan and carrying her signature Launer handbag for a day of meetings at her beloved Scottish summer home, Balmoral. While the actress playing the late Queen, 90-year-old Anne Reid, doesn't change into every costume featured (instead they are shown on mannequins), Fensom says there was a poignancy to showing her in this one. 'It's what everyone remembers as the last thing they saw her in,' he says.
