The Queen made an incredibly generous gesture to her closest aide before she died

One of the Queen’s most trusted confidants Angela Kelly was given a generous gift by Queen Elizabeth II before she died.

Angela, 69, worked as the Queen’s personal assistant and dresser - with the title Her Majesty’s Personal Advisor and Curator (The Queen’s Jewellery, Insignias and Wardrobe) - and the two became incredibly close over the years; so much so that the Queen even gave her permission to write a three-book memoir series. 

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Kelly, from Liverpool, started her career as an assistant dresser at the Royal Household before going on to become one of the Queen’s most trusted members of staff. 

And her dedication and commitment to the Queen has been rewarded, as the Queen herself has reportedly granted permission for Kelly to remain in her grace and favour home a short walk away from Windsor Castle.

An insider told the Daily Mail: “The Queen was very clear that she was close to Angela and wanted to look after her people.”

Speaking to the Telegraph in 2007, Kelly said she and the Queen would talk about ‘anything and everything’. 

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She told the publication: "We are two typical women. We discuss clothes, make-up, jewellery. We say, 'Would this piece of jewellery look nice with that outfit?', and things like that."

Kelly added: "I do worry about her and care about her. But we also have a lot of fun together. The Queen has a wicked sense of humour and is a great mimic. She can do all accents - including mine."

When asked why she thought the Queen had placed so much trust in her, Kelly joked: "I don't know why the Queen seems fond of me - because I don't give her an easy time! I do think she values my opinion, but she is the one who is in control. She always makes the final decision.”

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During the pandemic lockdowns, Kelly was one of a few trusted members of staff to create ‘​​HMS Bubble’ to move into the castle to take care of the Queen and Prince Philip. 

It was during this time that Kelly opened up Kelly's Salon - where she cut the late monarch’s hair when hairdressers were ordered to close. 

In her book Kelly explained: "The Queen thought I was a professional and started shouting at me, ‘Don’t do that, do it this way. That’s right, you’ve got it, don’t change it'. I was thinking, ‘goodness me, I need a gin and tonic’.”