THE QUEEN'S BESTIE

Angela Kelly was more than just a staff member to the late monarch – now she finds herself banished from the royal fold

- NICOLA WHITFIELD

IN THE midst of all the messages that poured in on the day of the coronation there was one that had a rather different tone. This one didn’t congratulate King Charles III or wish him well for the future – instead, it focused on the friendship between the queen and one of her staff members.

“Let’s spare a thought for how my best friend Angela Kelly feels today with such mixed emotions and losing her best friend, Her Majesty. How she made the queen laugh was an absolute joy to witness.”

The post, by Angela’s friend Stella McLaren, included a photo of Angela and the queen smiling – a poignant picture that spoke volumes about the women’s relationship.

Angela worked for the queen for two decades and was her chief dresser and right-hand woman. But things have changed now – and Stella’s post is seen as a not-so-subtle dig at the situation her friend finds herself in now.

For all her closeness to the queen, Angela seems to have made few allies in the House of Windsor and Charles has no desire to keep her on the royal books. She’s had to leave the home she lived in for years in the grounds of Windsor Castle and surrender her work cellphone.

Angela (65) herself made this clear on social media. “Getting ready to say goodbye,” she said along with a picture of her house and garden. “Looking forward to my new home closer to my family.

“I’m too old to worry about who loves me and who dislikes me. I have more important things to do. If you love me – I love you! If you support me – I support you! If you hate me – I don’t care!