Queen Elizabeth II Reportedly 'Washed Dishes' Even While Hosting Prime Ministers
Angela Kelly drew intense criticism due to her close bond with the late Queen Elizabeth.
Over the past few years, Angela Kelly, who once worked as the trusted personal assistant and dresser to late Queen Elizabeth II, has given several rare insights into the monarch’s private life. For instance, she shared some lesser-known details of the Queen’s daily routines and personal preferences in various media interviews, highlighting her more personal side, which seems very different from her formal public image. Recently, the former aide once again opened up, claiming that the late monarch often handled common chores like washing dishes, even when entertaining guests.
As reported by Marie Claire, Kelly traveled to Balmoral Castle almost every summer alongside Elizabeth, where the monarch was believed to be living a more relaxed life, away from the constant pressure of royal duties. Speaking of this phase, Kelly said, “The family would visit and she [Elizabeth] loved being granny. Her Majesty took her great-grandchildren out riding or walking. She did barbecues and fun things, and she always washed the dishes, even when she was entertaining the prime minister.” She added, “[The Queen] was just full of energy and a really cool granny, to be honest.”
Additionally, the former PA went on to claim that her former boss maintained her usual fun nature until the very end. She said, “As I worked alongside The Queen, year after year, we were getting older, but we were both young at heart. The Queen still had a twinkle in her eye," she said. Referring to the place where Elizabeth took her last breath, Kelly stated, “The banter and mischief continued until Balmoral. When The Queen passed away, she was surrounded by her family. It was a shock to the nation, to everyone.” The longest-reigning monarch of the UK died in 2022, aged 96.
Kelly also claimed, “We both knew we had trust, loyalty, and understanding. The Queen was my best friend, and I miss her every day.” However, it's important to note that she drew intense criticism from some of the members of the royal family due to her exceptionally close bond with the late Queen. For instance, a former senior aide accused Kelly of crossing the line, claiming, “She was technically a servant, but she was so much more than that. She became a confidante and a trusted member of The Queen’s inner circle.”
The aide then went on to add, “People felt threatened by Angela, who could be ruthless, and that went right to the top. Private secretaries fell foul of Angela—she could make or break your palace career because she had The Queen’s ear.” Angela's bond with the Queen was quite evident even in the small, everyday moments they shared. Kelly previously revealed that her former boss loved to start her mornings with Terry Wogan’s show on BBC Radio 2—and especially enjoyed it when Dancing Queen by ABBA played. In such moments, they would both dance together, with the Queen gently swaying and singing along.
