Kev
12-09-2007, 09:57 AM
As the Queen's personal assistant and 'gatekeeper', Angela Kelly has forged a uniquely close connection with the monarch over the past 14 years. In this exclusive interview, she tells chief reporter Andrew Alderson about their relationship
Their backgrounds are worlds apart. Yet, in the privacy of the Queen's homes, the two women discuss "anything and everything". Their conversations range from their beloved grandchildren to flowing ballgowns, and from designer jewellery to new ranges of make-up.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2007/12/09/nroyal309a.jpg
Attention to detail: Angela Kelly has gone from being one of the Queen’s
dressers to being her first ever personal assistant
Over the past 14 years, the Queen, Europe's longest-serving living monarch, and Angela Kelly, born in a terraced Liverpool council house, have forged a uniquely close mistress-servant relationship.
In recent days, Miss Kelly, who has never lost her Scouse accent, has been promoted: she now holds the lofty title of Personal Assistant, Adviser and Curator to Her Majesty the Queen (Jewellery, Insignias and Wardrobe).
To Buckingham Palace insiders, Miss Kelly is the Queen's "gatekeeper". Her formidable power base is likened to that of Michael Fawcett, the Prince of Wales's "indispensable" former servant turned party organiser. The Prince once famously said he could "manage without just about anyone, except for Michael".
Similarly, the Queen increasingly relies on Miss Kelly to run her day-to-day life. She told Miss Kelly recently: "You and I do work well together. I think we are a good team." When the two of them are alone, other staff often hear the sound of their joint laughter echoing down the corridor. read more (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/09/nroyal309.xml)
Their backgrounds are worlds apart. Yet, in the privacy of the Queen's homes, the two women discuss "anything and everything". Their conversations range from their beloved grandchildren to flowing ballgowns, and from designer jewellery to new ranges of make-up.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2007/12/09/nroyal309a.jpg
Attention to detail: Angela Kelly has gone from being one of the Queen’s
dressers to being her first ever personal assistant
Over the past 14 years, the Queen, Europe's longest-serving living monarch, and Angela Kelly, born in a terraced Liverpool council house, have forged a uniquely close mistress-servant relationship.
In recent days, Miss Kelly, who has never lost her Scouse accent, has been promoted: she now holds the lofty title of Personal Assistant, Adviser and Curator to Her Majesty the Queen (Jewellery, Insignias and Wardrobe).
To Buckingham Palace insiders, Miss Kelly is the Queen's "gatekeeper". Her formidable power base is likened to that of Michael Fawcett, the Prince of Wales's "indispensable" former servant turned party organiser. The Prince once famously said he could "manage without just about anyone, except for Michael".
Similarly, the Queen increasingly relies on Miss Kelly to run her day-to-day life. She told Miss Kelly recently: "You and I do work well together. I think we are a good team." When the two of them are alone, other staff often hear the sound of their joint laughter echoing down the corridor. read more (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/09/nroyal309.xml)