Inside the 'Windsor bubble'
The Australian Women's Weekly|June 2022
She's The Queen's dressmaker and confidante, and during COVID isolated with Her Majesty in Windsor Castle. In this new chapter of her memoir, Angela Kelly reveals the quiet joys and private heartache of that time.
Angela Kelly
Inside the 'Windsor bubble'

Her Majesty out of lockdown

In 2020, when we returned from Sandringham to London in February, as we do every year, we knew that the coronavirus had taken hold of not just the United Kingdom, but the world. We headed for the usual weekend at Windsor Castle, and while we were there The Queen was advised that the situation was changing rapidly. Her Majesty and the Household sat tight at Windsor watching developments unfold. The Queen's spring engagements were being reviewed but my normal duties remained the same, and I was waiting to hear what the outcome would be so I could make a plan of action.

Eventually the day came in March when the Prime Minister informed the country that we were going into a national lockdown. This is when a bubble was formed by the Master of the Household, Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, to reduce the number of staff on duty by more than half, in order to create a safe environment for The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. The Royal Household and staff had to isolate for two weeks in a separate part of the Castle before they entered the bubble. This period wasn't easy for anyone; we wore masks and did everything we had to do to take precautions.

Angela at Home Park

Dedication to service

At a time when freedom had been taken away from us all, I felt that it was even more important to isolate myself further - I would never have forgiven myself if I had passed COVID on to The Queen. So I moved into Windsor Castle and stayed by her side for two years, without a day off. My incredible team also withdrew behind the Castle walls by choice, and we were constantly on duty except for a couple of hours in the afternoon, when we could walk in the private Home Park or catch up on our work emails.

Bu hikaye The Australian Women's Weekly dergisinin June 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Australian Women's Weekly dergisinin June 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Hitting a nerve
The Australian Women's Weekly

Hitting a nerve

Regulating the vagus nerve with its links to depression, anxiety, arthritis and diabetes - could aid physical and mental wellbeing.

time-read
5 dak  |
July 2024
Take me to the river
The Australian Women's Weekly

Take me to the river

With a slew of new schedules and excursions to explore, the latest river cruises promise to give you experiences and sights you won’t see on the ocean.

time-read
4 dak  |
July 2024
The last act
The Australian Women's Weekly

The last act

When family patriarch Tom Edwards passes away, his children must come together to build his coffin in four days, otherwise they will lose their inheritance. Can they put their sibling rivalry aside?

time-read
8 dak  |
July 2024
MEET RUSSIA'S BRAVEST WOMEN
The Australian Women's Weekly

MEET RUSSIA'S BRAVEST WOMEN

When Alexei Navalny died in a brutal Arctic prison, Vladimir Putin thought he had triumphed over his most formidable opponent. Until three courageous women - Alexei's mother, wife and daughter - took up his fight for freedom.

time-read
8 dak  |
July 2024
The wines and lines mums
The Australian Women's Weekly

The wines and lines mums

Once only associated with glamorous A-listers, cocaine is now prevalent with the soccer-mum set - as likely to be imbibed at a school fundraiser as a nightclub. The Weekly looks inside this illegal, addictive, rising trend.

time-read
10 dak  |
July 2024
Jenny Liddle-Bob.Lucy McDonald.Sasha Green - Why don't you know their names?
The Australian Women's Weekly

Jenny Liddle-Bob.Lucy McDonald.Sasha Green - Why don't you know their names?

Indigenous women are being murdered at frightening rates, their deaths often left uninvestigated and widely unreported. Here The Weekly meets families who are battling grief and desperate for solutions.

time-read
10+ dak  |
July 2024
Growing happiness
The Australian Women's Weekly

Growing happiness

Through drought flood and heartbreak, Jenny Jennr's sunflowers bloom with hope, sunshine and joy

time-read
8 dak  |
July 2024
"Thank God we make each other laugh"
The Australian Women's Weekly

"Thank God we make each other laugh"

A shared sense of humour has seen Aussie comedy couple Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall conquer the world. But what does life look like when the cameras go down:

time-read
7 dak  |
July 2024
Winter baking with apples and pears
The Australian Women's Weekly

Winter baking with apples and pears

Celebrate the season of Australian apples and pears with these sweet bakes that will keep the midwinter blues away.

time-read
10+ dak  |
July 2024
Budget dinner winners
The Australian Women's Weekly

Budget dinner winners

Looking for some thrifty inspiration for weeknight dinners? Try our tasty line-up of low-cost recipes that are bound to please everyone at the table.

time-read
5 dak  |
July 2024