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Christmas was never a quiet affair for the late Queen Elizabeth II, even in her later years. While the festive season might be a time to slow down for most of us, those closest to the monarch revealed that Christmas Day itself remained just as demanding as any other.
Angela Kelly, who worked closely with the royal for decades and played a key role in shaping her iconic wardrobe, offered a rare insight into the intensity behind the scenes. Writing in her book The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, The Dresser and the Wardrobe, that was published three years before she passed, Kelly explained that the Queen’s Christmas schedule was filled with guests and engagements.
She said: “The Queen is just as busy as she would be in London, with more guests to entertain.” As a result, multiple outfit changes were not indulgent, but essential. Kelly revealed: “There may be several outfit changes in one day – it could be as many as five or even up to seven.”
However, the frequent wardrobe changes followed a surprisingly strict rule. The Queen would never wear the same outfit twice in front of different groups of guests on the same day, ensuring that no one felt they had received less attention than another. Each moment, whether private or formal – required its own carefully considered ensemble, reflecting the late monarch’s deep respect for tradition and protocol.
Kelly explained how she would present sketches of evening gowns and formal dresses for the Queen to review, allowing her to personally select what she wished to wear. The coordination extended beyond the Queen herself. Once her evening attire was chosen, a handwritten notice was placed in the Dressers’ Corridor detailing her outfit, allowing ladies-in-waiting and accompanying guests to dress accordingly.
Take a look at her final Christmas day looks…
2021: Christmas Day
For her 2021 Christmas Day broadcast, Queen Elizabeth II made a striking statement in a bold, festive red embossed wool dress designed by her long-time dresser, Angela Kelly. The vivid colour felt quietly powerful, underscoring the gravity of the moment as she delivered her first Christmas message following the death of her beloved husband, Prince Philip – a choice that, in hindsight, feels especially poignant as it would become her final Christmas address. Pinned to her dress was the deeply symbolic sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, a jewel she first wore on her honeymoon in 1947 and later at milestone anniversaries shared with Philip, transforming the look into a subtle yet deeply moving tribute. The brooch, believed by experts to be worth well over £1 million – though often described as priceless due to its historic and emotional significance, spoke volumes without a single word. Together, the commanding red silhouette and heirloom jewel created one of the most emotionally resonant and memorable Christmas looks of her reign.
(Image: Getty)
