The Queen has a new roommate at Windsor Castle

The Queen broke royal parenting protocol, here's how

(Image credit: Getty)

published 20 May 2022

It's one of her closest aides and 'best friend'.

It looks like the Queen has a new resident at Windsor Castle. According to The Sun, Angela Kelly, the Queen's dresser, confidante and 'best friend' is staying in a suite next to her majesty's private quarters.

A source told the paper that Kelly “lives there now. She has moved in.” But, it's not the first time that Kelly has stayed at the castle - during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, she was believed to be an essential part of Her Majesty's bubble.

As well as helping her with her day-to-day care, it was even said that Kelly had given the Queen a haircut at a time when we had to rely on our nearest and dearest to take up the hairdressing scissors.

Not only a confidante to Her Majesty, Kelly, 69, is a dressmaker and has served as personal assistant and senior dresser to the 96-year-old monarch since 2002.

She's also written a book about her time with the Queen (authorised by Her Majesty), titled The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe. An updated version, detailing how the Queen coped with lockdown and her husband, Prince Philip's death, was published last week to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

It's been well reported that the Queen has been suffering from mobility issues, leading her to pull out of engagements such as the State Opening of Parliament. It's thought that Kelly will be able to provide assistance with this.

The monarch seemed in good spirits at the recent opening of the Elizabeth Line as she made an unexpected appearance, dressed in a sunny yellow dress coat with matching hat and carrying a walking stick. It's the first engagement that Queen Elizabeth II had been outside of the Windsor area since Prince Philip's memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March.

It is a busy time for Her Majesty with her Platinum Jubilee celebrations already in flow, with the main events planned for the first weekend in June, from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th. The Platinum Jubilee marks 70 years of a monarch’s reign and, interestingly, our Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, is the first British monarch to reach this incredible milestone.

Amy Sedghi is a freelance journalist, specialising in health and fitness, travel, beauty, sustainability and cycling.

Having started her career in The Guardian newsroom working with an award-winning team, Amy's proud to have reported on a variety of topics, speaking to a range of voices and travelling far and wide to do so. From interviews on ski lifts to writing up breaking stories outside courtrooms, Amy is used to reporting from a range of locations (she’s even been known to type up a story in a tent).

She also loves being active, spending time outdoors and travelling - with some of her favourite features she’s worked on combining all three. Cycling and eating her way round the Isle of Man, learning to sail on the Côte d'Azur and traversing the Caminito del Rey path in Spain are just some of her highlights.

Covering a diverse range of subjects appeals to Amy. One minute she may be writing about her online styling session with Katie Holmes’ stylist and the next she’s transporting readers to the basketball courts of Haringey where she joined a group trying to lower knife crime in the capital.

While at university, Amy was awarded The Media Society bursary. Following her stint at the Guardian, Amy worked at Google and as well as writing for Marie Claire, she regularly contributes interviews, features and articles to National Geographic Traveller, The Guardian, The Independent, The Telegraph, Stylist, Refinery29, Glorious Sport, Cycling Weekly and Rouleur.

When she’s not writing, Amy can be found trying to get through her towering stack of books-to-read, cycling down at Herne Hill Velodrome or looking for the next place to eat and drink with friends.

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