The Queen’s personal assistant, Angela Kelly, has revealed that she was enlisted to maintain Her Majesty’s signature hairdo during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Queen’s right-hand woman has confirmed that she cut and styled Her Majesty’s hair during the COVID-19 lockdown in her upcoming book.
Angela Kelly, who has served as Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser to the monarch since 2002, was one of 30 VIPs isolated in the ‘HMS Bubble’ at Windsor Castle—and probably the only person semi-qualified in matters of beauty and grooming.
The British fashion designer was reportedly on standby to ensure the Queen maintained her regal style during the pandemic, picking out Zoom-friendly outfits and jewelry for the 95-year-old’s many virtual engagements.
In an updated version of her 2019 book, The Other Side of the Coin, Angela now shares exclusive insights into working alongside the 95-year-old during the UK’s multiple lockdowns. As well as covering the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral and the planning of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, the 64-year-old reveals how she unexpectedly became the British sovereign’s hairdresser at her Berkshire estate due to staffing shortages.
Angela Kelly, far right, joins the Queen and Anna Wintour for London Fashion Week in 2018
(Image credit: Getty)
The job had previously been done by Scott Ian Carmichael, who reportedly would drive to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle twice a week to style the Queen’s iconic white perm. With COVID-19 travel restrictions in place, however, Her Majesty was no longer able to avail of the London-based stylist’s services.
According to Katya Shipster, Harper Non-Fiction publishing director, Angela’s revised book “tells the story of the royal bubble as well as the lengths Angela and the royal household went to, to ensure the safety of the monarch.”
Angela’s relationship with the Queen dates back to October 1992, when she was working as a housekeeper for the British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Christopher Mallaby.
Angela Kelly cut the Queen’s hair during lockdown
(Image credit: Getty)
It’s been reported that Her Majesty met the Liverpudlian milliner by chance on a visit to Christopher’s residence with Prince Philip and quickly took a liking to her low-key disposition. After hearing that she was planning to move back to London, the monarch offered her a job as a royal dresser the following year. Three years later, Angela was promoted to Senior Dresser. By 2002, she had solidified her reputation within the royal household and took on the lofty job title of the Queen’s Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser.
“I suppose the Queen must have liked me and decided I was trustworthy and discreet,” Angela told the Telegraph in 2007.
The pair have since maintained a tight bond, with Angela rarely disclosing details of their relationship to the press. It’s understood that Her Majesty has approved the revised edition of The Other Side of the Coin, having likely read through the chapters with a fine-tooth comb before its publication on 12 May.
