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

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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. 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; 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.

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.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. That she and Prince Philip didn’t see each other for weeks after he retired from public duties in 2017 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.

Motcomb Street, улицу с дорогими кутюрными магазинами, думая присмотреть для своей патронессы новые наряды и наладить сотрудничество с какими-то модельерами. В первом же бутике продавщица презрительно оглядела скромно одетую покупательницу и сообщила ей, что у них в магазине представлена высокая мода, которую она вряд ли сможет себе позволить. Келли пишет, что еле удержалась, чтобы дословно не повторить там известную сцену из фильма «Красотка». В соседнем бутике, прямо как в кино, Анжелу встретили тепло и приветливо, терпеливо ответили на все ее вопросы, показали ткани, образцы, обсудили фасоны, а владелец бутика Стюарт Парвин оказался на удивление скромным, не болтливым и добрым человеком. С Домом моды Стюарта Парвина королевский двор сотрудничает до сих пор. 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. 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; First impression matter. Angela met QEII while working at the Berlin embassy. She refused to tell the Queen who was coming next since she had signed a confidentially agreement. 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).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 would have been interested to read more in the book about the history of the position of the Queen's dresser over the course of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. Kelly notes that previous dressers did not keep records concerning the provenance of materials in the Queen's wardrobe and I would liked to learn more about the challenges Kelly faced in organizing the Queen's fashions when she began her role. 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.

Not that she doesn't value discretion. She met the author during a royal visit to the British Embassy in Germany, where Kelly was the housekeeper. Asked about who would be the next guest there, Kelly refused to say, citing the pledge she had given not to divulge details of her duties. The Queen and Prince Philip were amused at Kelly's firmness, but they didn't forget it, either. Soon afterwards, she returned to England and was approached about a job in the Palace. The Royals like staff who can keep their mouths shut! Keeping in mind that there hadn't been a Diamond Jubilee since 1897 for Queen Victoria, and add the fact that in 2012 London was also hosting the Olympics, and you can see that the pressure was definitely more than "on" for the talented people in charge of her wardrobe.

Kelly herself is a tough Liverpool-Irish girl with great energy and an optimistic outlook. She loves fabric and clothes and feels privileged to have been the means of encouraging the Queen to transition to brighter colors and more modern designs. It's always fun to read about someone who loves his/her job. In The Other Side of the Coin, The Queen has personally given Angela her blessing to share their extraordinary bond with the world. Whether it’s preparing for a formal occasion or brightening Her Majesty’s day with a playful joke, Angela’s priority is to serve and support. Sharing never-before-seen photographs – many from Angela’s own private collection – and charming anecdotes of their time spent together, this revealing book provides memorable insights into what it’s like to work closely with The Queen, to curate her wardrobe and to discover a true and lasting connection along the way. 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. 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.