Yorkshire, United Kingdom: Former Queen Elizabeth’s dresser, Angela Kelly, has transitioned from a historic Windsor estate to a £465,000 bungalow in the Peak District, courtesy of King Charles. The three-bedroom property serves as Kelly’s new residence following her departure from the Windsor cottage she previously occupied for years.
Kelly’s relocation was prompted by the sale of her Grade II-listed cottage on the Windsor estate after Queen Elizabeth’s passing in 2022. In an act of honoring the Queen’s promise of lifelong accommodation for Kelly, King Charles discreetly facilitated the purchase of the Yorkshire bungalow, located 160 miles away from Berkshire.
Funded from the Royal Family’s Coutts bank account, the bungalow’s ownership is expected to revert to the Crown upon Kelly’s passing, as per reports. Despite being a departure from her previous abode, the bungalow offers a spacious lounge, a cozy dining room, and an open-plan kitchen, providing Kelly with a new place to call home.
As part of the agreement, believed to include a ban on divulging royal secrets, Kelly was presented with a non-disclosure agreement upon moving. This “gagging order” prohibits the use of specific terms for commercial purposes and sets boundaries for her communication in the public domain.
Known for her close relationship with Queen Elizabeth, Kelly has penned two books reflecting her experiences working alongside the monarch, with a potential third book in the works. However, alongside the provision of housing, a senior Palace aide presented the non-disclosure agreement, enforcing restrictions on her speech and actions.
Despite her esteemed position within the Queen’s circle and the Royal Victorian Order appointment in 2012, Kelly’s tenure was not without controversy. Dubbed “AK-47” due to her assertive demeanor, Kelly’s return to Windsor post-Queen’s passing marked a shift in her access to the royal apartments, highlighting the changes in her circumstances.
In a poignant moment captured last year, Kelly was photographed packing her Windsor cottage, signaling a new chapter in her life in the North. The transition from royal quarters to a remote bungalow in the Peak District reflects both the changes in Kelly’s circumstances and the enduring ties between the monarchy and its loyal staff members.