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

Product Information

Are some of the detailed descriptions of Queen's private room discussed in the news and social media true? But they could do nothing about it because the Queen regarded Kelly as one of her true friends. Gyles Brandreth Author

I have read many books on the Royal family, I love biographies and anything of interest about them, individually or collectively. One crucial factor was the dress The Queen would wear for the momentous skydive. I had to be careful not to choose a colour that was strongly associated with any of the participating nations, too, so after much consideration, I chose peach. However, the colour wasn't the only factor, the dress also had to be designed perfectly to allow movement in the skirt as The Queen seemingly flew through the air." For the nearly seven decades of her reign, Her Majesty The Queen has used clothing to create a powerful visual identity that transcends fashion and has made her perhaps the most readily identifiable person on the planet. Angela Kelly, building on the work of the great designers and milliners who have worked with Her Majesty through the years – including couturiers Sir Norman Hartnell, Sir Hardy Amies, and Ian Thomas, and milliners such as Simone Mirman and Freddy Fox – brings her own imagination to bear on an iconic ‘uniform’ that suggests continuity and tradition, and ensures that the wearer is always the most visible person in a room or a crowd.’ –Anna Wintour, VogueIt's not unenjoyable or enjoyable, you can skim long passages, it's somewhere between boring and a perfect example of 'meh'. 2.5 stars, at best. For the nearly seven decades of her reign, Her Majesty The Queen has used clothing to create a powerful visual identity that transcends fashion and has made her perhaps the most readily identifiable person on the planet. Angela Kelly, building on the work of the great designers and milliners who have worked with Her Majesty through the years – including couturiers Sir Norman Hartnell, Sir Hardy Amies, and Ian Thomas, and milliners such as Simone Mirman and Freddy Fox – brings her own imagination to bear on an iconic ‘uniform’ that suggests continuity and tradition, and ensures that the wearer is always the most visible person in a room or a crowd.’

What I found really lovely is that this book verifies many stories from over the years that the Queen and Prince Phillip are people are very polite and thoughtful to staff who serve them. They are quintessential diplomats working within the confines of their roles. Prince Phillip sounds like a real character and its nice to read that the Queen asks his opinions about her outfits!! Quite relatable that the Queen likes a bargin too!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. 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. 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. 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.

There's little about the Queen's relationship with her children or grandchildren, but Prince Philip plays a starring role. The author is an admirer of that controversial character, claiming that his value to the Queen was that he ALWAYS told her the truth. I loved his blunt opinion of an outfit done in a loud plaid. Suitable for covering the sofa, was the way he put it, saving his wife the embarrassment of appearing in clothing unsuited for her petite figure. Angela Kelly lvo is Personal Advisor, Curator and Senior Dresser to Her Majesty The Queen (The Queen’s Jewellery, Insignias and Wardrobe), as well as In-house Designer. Angela started working in the Royal Household in 1994 as an Assistant Dresser and shares with you her unique perspective on her working life with Her Majesty The Queen.

There are few occasions on which Her Majesty will agree to break protocol, but in 2011, when film director Danny Boyle approached the Royal Household, he had a request to make that we simply could not refuse. This book is a highly enjoyable read. To my knowledge, this is the first book sanctioned by the Queen written by a staff member; a current staff member at that. The book documents the unique working relationship between Her Majesty The Queen and the woman who has been her Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser for more than two decades: Angela Kelly. It gives a rare insight into the demands of the job of supporting the Monarch, and we gain privileged insight into a successful working relationship, characterised by humour, creativity, hard work, and a mutual commitment to service and duty. Angela is a talented and inspiring woman, who has captured the highlights of her long career with The Queen for us all to share.’ – Samantha Cohen, Assistant Private Secretary to The Queen (2011–2018) Of course I loved the stories behind Her Majesty’s wardrobe, jewellery and it’s a book where one learns so much about Angela’s skills, life and strength. It’s definitely a tribute to her wonderful career and her amazing and much loved employer.

Angela Kelly is no writer, there is no depth, no insight, no glimpses from the 'other side of the coin' of how the Queen "really" is. Since Angela makes a point of saying right at the beginning of how she is absolutely loyal to the official secrets act and would never breech confidentiality in even the smallest way all there is left to write about is the dresses. So that's what she writes about, since she did that already in another book, I ask myself, why was this book written? You know how when you had to write a paper in school and there was a minimum length requirement so you just kept repeating and rewording the same thoughts over and over? That is this book. In 2012 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, 60 years on the throne, only the second English monarch to do so, Queen Victoria being the first. Even in an ordinary year she attends many events, but this year was special so more were planned, and her wardrobe had to be special too. Angela Kelly serves as the queen's personal assistant, advisor and curator of the personal jewel collection. She also designs most of the queen's wardrobe, including hats, but always with input from the queen. Everything has to be reasonably comfortable to wear, easily seen in a crowd. They start with the fabric which has to not crease or crush easily. They do special shopping, but start with the collection of fabric they already have, much of it bought on previous trips overseas as well as locally in the UK. The wardrobe is made in-house by dressmakers, with a milliner for the hats. It was also interesting to see drawings of many of pieces designed by Ms. Kelly over the last 2 decades and the finish product worn by Her Majesty.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. Angela worked with The Queen and walked the corridors of the Royal Household for twenty-eight years, initially as Her Majesty’s Senior Dresser and then latterly as Her Majesty’s Personal Advisor, Curator, Wardrobe and In-house Designer. As the first person in history to hold this title, she shared a uniquely close working relationship with The Queen.