The magnificent gold
dress that Her Majesty wore for the Diamond Jubilee concert in June was made
from fabric that had been stashed away since 1961, Angela Kelly, a Liverpool
docker’s daughter, tells us in her new book, Dressing The Queen: The Jubilee
Wardrobe.
Ms Kelly, 60, is personal assistant, adviser and curator to
Queen Elizabeth II and has been credited with transforming the Queen’s image.
In her glossy
hardback she transports us into another world and reveals some of the
secrets that have made Her Majesty’s style admired across the globe.
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Royal Collection Trust © 2012, Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II
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It gives a vivid insight into the precision that goes into
planning The Queen’s wardrobe, from sourcing fabrics to the choice of
accessories to complement the finished outfit. Fittings can last half a day and
involve work on four or five outfits, complete with hats. Colours are chosen to
work with the occasion and to ensure that the sovereign always stands out.
The Queen usually sees the finished garments a day or so
before an engagement, when she tries them on. It is also interesting to learn
that Her Majesty is frugal and aware of costs.
A great tip that The Queen apparently passed on to Ms Kelly,
is to squeeze fabrics to see if they stay creased. This is a good test if you
are going shopping, especially if you want an outfit for a special event and
don’t want to look as if you have slept in it.
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Royal Collection Trust © 2012, Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II
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If you wondered how The Queen manages never to have an
embarrassing moment in windy, blustery weather, Ms Kelly divulges that her team
sometimes discretely sews weights into the seams of dresses.
The author also reveals that for The Queen’s debut role as a
Bond girl, in the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, two identical dresses were made: one
for the Queen and the other for the stunt double so it appeared as if it was
The Queen who took the parachute jump with Mr Bond.
If you are looking for Christmas present ideas, this book
will make a great gift. There can’t be many women who wouldn’t want to get
their hands on this gem.
By Daralyn Danns
Dressing The Queen: The Jubilee Wardrobe by Angela Kelly is
published by Royal Collection Trust and is available from all good book shops
priced at £24.95 and £19.95 from www.royalcollection.org.uk/shop and from Royal
Collection Trust shops at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, on Buckingham
Palace Road, and at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
