Mysterious absence of Angela Kelly: Queen's confidante and favorite dresser fails to appear at vigil for monarch
LONDON, ENGLAND: During the midst of the royal family gathering at Westminster Hall on Wednesday, September 14, Queen Elizabeth II's coffin arrived to lie in state for the public to bid final goodbye to their beloved monarch. The solemn yet intimate ceremony was also joined by a group of the Queen's closest palace staff however a rather trusted aid absence was duly noted.
The group of Palace closest staff to Queen Elizabeth who attended the Queen's funeral service included Paul Whybrew, 63, who has served the Queen over for 40 years also known as 'Tall Paul' for his significant 6ft 4ins height. Yet one of the Queen's closest trusted aides, Angela Kelly the Queen's favorite dresser was absent during the service.
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Angela Kelly, a docker's daughter from Liverpool who started out at the Royal Household in 1994 as an assistant dresser soon became the Queen's confidante and friend. Kelly was responsible for Queen Elizabeth's fashionable appearances as she kept track of the Queen's outfits and accessories worn on each occasion. She was entrusted with the majesty's priceless jewels. Kelly was believed to be in service next to the Queen making her laugh and indulge in daily chit-chats as the majesty's public appearances diminished after her mobility started to deteriorate. Which makes Kelly's absence at Westminster even more bewildering. It is possible that Angela Kelly will be preparing the clothes in which the longest reigning monarch will be buried.
While Paul Whybrew aka Tall Paul was loved by all the same couldn't be said about Angela Kelly. According to sources, "she loved the Queen but others were not quite so keen." Despite the rumors, the late Queen has reportedly rewarded kelly for her years of services by granting permission to Kelly to continue residing at her grace-and-favor home in Windsor. She has received the monarch's extraordinary permission to secure a three-book publishing deal. Two of the memoirs have already been released, and a third is yet to come out. The book could share a splendid birds-eye-view account of her time with the Royal Family. Angela Kelly is yet to bid her final goodbye to her beloved Majesty, as tomorrow the Queen's coffin arrives at St George's Chapel where she will be buried within the grounds of the Windsor castle. World leaders from around the globe will arrive for the committal services. The guest list out of 800 will include the past and present staff members who worked closely with the Queen. Surely Angela Kelly would also be seen seated in the front rows as she watches her Majesty's final departure.