The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe
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- Create Date：2022-09-10 00:53:00
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Angela Kelly
- ISBN：000853621X
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Summary
‘Full of gems … Angela Kelly is a jewel in the crown’
Daily Telegraph
‘Entertaining and beautifully illustrated’
The Sunday Times
‘For real intel， [The Crown] can’t come close to The Other Side of the Coin by Angela Kelly’
The New York Times ‘Fascinating book’
HELLO！
‘The book is a trove of warm and insightful anecdotes’
Daily Mail
‘Angela Kelly shares fascinating and charming anecdotes’
Good Housekeeping
First print run features a specially designed cut-down dust jacket
When Angela Kelly and The Queen are together， laughter echoes through the corridors of Buckingham Palace。
Angela has worked with The Queen and walked the corridors of the Royal Household for twenty-five years， initially as Her Majesty’s Senior Dresser and then latterly as Her Majesty’s Personal Advisor， Curator， Wardrobe and In-house Designer。 As the first person in history to hold this title， she shares a uniquely close working relationship with The Queen。
In The Other Side of the Coin， The Queen has personally given Angela her blessing to share their extraordinary bond with the world。 Whether it’s preparing for a formal occasion or brightening Her Majesty’s day with a playful joke， Angela’s priority is to serve and support。 Sharing never-before-seen photographs – many from Angela’s own private collection – and charming anecdotes of their time spent together， this revealing book provides memorable insights into what it’s like to work closely with The Queen， to curate her wardrobe and to discover a true and lasting connection along the way。
‘The book documents the unique working relationship between Her Majesty The Queen and the woman who has been her Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser for more than two decades: Angela Kelly。 It gives a rare insight into the demands of the job of supporting the Monarch， and we gain privileged insight into a successful working relationship， characterised by humour， creativity， hard work， and a mutual commitment to service and duty。 Angela is a talented and inspiring woman， who has captured the highlights of her long career with The Queen for us all to share。’ – Samantha Cohen， Assistant Private Secretary to The Queen （2011–2018）
Daily Telegraph
‘Entertaining and beautifully illustrated’
The Sunday Times
‘For real intel， [The Crown] can’t come close to The Other Side of the Coin by Angela Kelly’
The New York Times ‘Fascinating book’
HELLO！
‘The book is a trove of warm and insightful anecdotes’
Daily Mail
‘Angela Kelly shares fascinating and charming anecdotes’
Good Housekeeping
First print run features a specially designed cut-down dust jacket
When Angela Kelly and The Queen are together， laughter echoes through the corridors of Buckingham Palace。
Angela has worked with The Queen and walked the corridors of the Royal Household for twenty-five years， initially as Her Majesty’s Senior Dresser and then latterly as Her Majesty’s Personal Advisor， Curator， Wardrobe and In-house Designer。 As the first person in history to hold this title， she shares a uniquely close working relationship with The Queen。
In The Other Side of the Coin， The Queen has personally given Angela her blessing to share their extraordinary bond with the world。 Whether it’s preparing for a formal occasion or brightening Her Majesty’s day with a playful joke， Angela’s priority is to serve and support。 Sharing never-before-seen photographs – many from Angela’s own private collection – and charming anecdotes of their time spent together， this revealing book provides memorable insights into what it’s like to work closely with The Queen， to curate her wardrobe and to discover a true and lasting connection along the way。
‘The book documents the unique working relationship between Her Majesty The Queen and the woman who has been her Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser for more than two decades: Angela Kelly。 It gives a rare insight into the demands of the job of supporting the Monarch， and we gain privileged insight into a successful working relationship， characterised by humour， creativity， hard work， and a mutual commitment to service and duty。 Angela is a talented and inspiring woman， who has captured the highlights of her long career with The Queen for us all to share。’ – Samantha Cohen， Assistant Private Secretary to The Queen （2011–2018）
Reviews
Isabel Chevis
，
I'm really enjoying reading this。 There are lots of little interesting facts and some lovely photos。 I'm really enjoying reading this。 There are lots of little interesting facts and some lovely photos。 。。。more
Sophie
，
I was expecting this book to focus on the Queen's outfit selecting reasons。 The philosophy and meaning behind each， or some of the significant ones， outfits。 But it turned out to be more like the author， the dresser's memoir， on how she smartly did the job。 I was expecting this book to focus on the Queen's outfit selecting reasons。 The philosophy and meaning behind each， or some of the significant ones， outfits。 But it turned out to be more like the author， the dresser's memoir， on how she smartly did the job。 。。。more
Jane
，
This was a beautiful book。 There were so many funny moments and I often burst into laughter while reading which really illustrates how accessible this memoir was。 It was a joy to read a behind the palace doors memoir and it just made me want a job with the palace， although not with the household。
Helen
，
Repetitive and very fawning but a few interesting things （I make dresses） and Miss Kelly does seem lovely。 I'm not sure what the letters from her grandchildren had to do with anything though？ Repetitive and very fawning but a few interesting things （I make dresses） and Miss Kelly does seem lovely。 I'm not sure what the letters from her grandchildren had to do with anything though？ 。。。more
Briana
，
This book was fascinating！ It was so interesting to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes and I have a much greater appreciation for Her Majesty's wardrobe now。 This book was fascinating！ It was so interesting to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes and I have a much greater appreciation for Her Majesty's wardrobe now。 。。。more
Beverly
，
This is one of the most delightful books I've read in a while。 I was reading it in the lead-up to Her Majesty's recent Jubilee celebration of her 70-year reign。Angela Kelly gives a wonderful insight into the planning of Her Majesty's wardrobe and into the surprisingly delightful personality of the Queen。 We find out the Queen has a jolly and sometimes cheeky sense of humor and is a kind and caring human。The clothes Ms Kelly designs and dresses the Queen in are exquisite。 And， the hows and whys c This is one of the most delightful books I've read in a while。 I was reading it in the lead-up to Her Majesty's recent Jubilee celebration of her 70-year reign。Angela Kelly gives a wonderful insight into the planning of Her Majesty's wardrobe and into the surprisingly delightful personality of the Queen。 We find out the Queen has a jolly and sometimes cheeky sense of humor and is a kind and caring human。The clothes Ms Kelly designs and dresses the Queen in are exquisite。 And， the hows and whys certain garments， cloth， jewelry， and accessories are chosen are fascinating。I look forward to reading Ms Kelly's other books。 。。。more
Leslie
，
Interesting A fun and interesting read！ I’ve never given much thought to the queen’s clothes， but I’ll never look at her the same again。 I enjoyed this look behind the scenes。
Cori
，
I truly enjoyed this journey through the Queens wardrobe。 Highly recommend for any royal watchers。
Mary-Lynn
，
Wonderful details about the process and practice of creating the Queen's public wardrobe。 A must if you love learning about costume design。 Wonderful details about the process and practice of creating the Queen's public wardrobe。 A must if you love learning about costume design。 。。。more
L
，
A fascinating insight into the world of dressing and designing for The Queen！ Along with easy to read short chapters， the book features beautiful photographs of many of the Queen’s outfits， hats， jewelry， photo shoots and of the author herself at work。 Senior dress designer， Ms。 Kelly tells anecdotal stories of how outfits came to be and of the Queen traveling the world， meeting Presidents， attending fashion shows or delivering the ‘Queen’s Speech’。 （Did you know that the only day the Queen has A fascinating insight into the world of dressing and designing for The Queen！ Along with easy to read short chapters， the book features beautiful photographs of many of the Queen’s outfits， hats， jewelry， photo shoots and of the author herself at work。 Senior dress designer， Ms。 Kelly tells anecdotal stories of how outfits came to be and of the Queen traveling the world， meeting Presidents， attending fashion shows or delivering the ‘Queen’s Speech’。 （Did you know that the only day the Queen has a professional makeup artist is for the Queen’s speech on Christmas Day？） ‘The Other Side of the Coin’ is a delight for any Anglophile into the royals or people who enjoy fashion design。 I thoroughly enjoyed it。 。。。more
Corinne
，
Boring！ I couldn't relate to anything in this book。 I buy my clothes readymade at a discount department store， hoping to find something that meets my needs and fits。 I get myself dressed， all by myself， every day， and my outfits are more varied than the Queen's。 Other than the different colors of her outfits， every ensemble looks basically the same。 If I were the author of this book， I wouldn't brag about my skills as a seamstress and stylist。 I usually force myself to finish reading any book th Boring！ I couldn't relate to anything in this book。 I buy my clothes readymade at a discount department store， hoping to find something that meets my needs and fits。 I get myself dressed， all by myself， every day， and my outfits are more varied than the Queen's。 Other than the different colors of her outfits， every ensemble looks basically the same。 If I were the author of this book， I wouldn't brag about my skills as a seamstress and stylist。 I usually force myself to finish reading any book that I start， but this book didn't deserve the time or effort。 。。。more
Megan
，
Rated PG: audiobookNarrator Angela KellyCompletely underwhelming。 While I appreciate the stamina and endurance of Queen Elizabeth， she’s robotic。 Angela‘s attempts to make her seem otherwise fall flat。 Angela builds up these scenes and you’re waiting for the punchline which is a smile or a twinkle in the eye or a hard stare。 That’s it？ That’s all you get after 25 years of working with someone？ It’s like trying to milk a raisin， it’s not milk and it’s not much。How sad is it that such a big deal i Rated PG: audiobookNarrator Angela KellyCompletely underwhelming。 While I appreciate the stamina and endurance of Queen Elizabeth， she’s robotic。 Angela‘s attempts to make her seem otherwise fall flat。 Angela builds up these scenes and you’re waiting for the punchline which is a smile or a twinkle in the eye or a hard stare。 That’s it？ That’s all you get after 25 years of working with someone？ It’s like trying to milk a raisin， it’s not milk and it’s not much。How sad is it that such a big deal is made over Queen Elizabeth putting her arm around Michelle Obama？ And yet， in Annie Leibowitz’s photos of Queen Elizabeth and her daughter Princess Anne， Queen Elizabeth isn’t even touching her own daughter！？！ That’s just plain weird。 And PS that’s one of the Queen’s cutest outfits with her button down blouse， cardigan and skirt。I didn’t realize we would literally have pages and pages on the material， the texture， the design， the button， the feather… I thought we would be able to have more behind the scenes insight。 Nope。And lastly， I understand that the Queen is advanced in years and comfort among all of her many social functions is imperative。 But I also feel like a woman who can literally have any designer at her beck and call could be encouraged to look more sophisticated and less “florally frumpy”。 For example， the outfit she wore to speak to the UN and attend the 9/11 memorial was horrific。 It didn’t show strength for the UN or mourning for the 9/11 memorial。 It looked like a tablecloth。 And I’m no fashionista myself， but even I can see that。 So on top of a very bland narrative， Angela isn’t even good at fashion。 The queen looks best in her casual clothes or when she has a coat over her dress。 to be fair， maybe that’s more of catering to the client’s wishes than the designer？Anyway， I grow tired of hoping to see a glimpse of true human warmth beneath the cold exterior of Queen Elizabeth， there is none。 Again， she is an amazing woman who has seen much， done much and outlasted most。 But her corgis have probably benefited most from her love & affection; ） 。。。more
Pam
，
Anything about the Royal Family is interesting and this book is an easy read， full of pictures， with short sections describing bits about Queen Elizabeth's clothes， routines etc。 The fabrics are just stunning and the clothes。。。。beautiful。 A quick， easy， fun read。 Anything about the Royal Family is interesting and this book is an easy read， full of pictures， with short sections describing bits about Queen Elizabeth's clothes， routines etc。 The fabrics are just stunning and the clothes。。。。beautiful。 A quick， easy， fun read。 。。。more
Mrs。 Gillian。 Minter
，
50/50Quite a good read， loved some parts but not interested in fabrics and dressmaking， so found those areas not so enjoyable。。
AnnieHil
，
I suppose I should have predicted the breathless adoration， but it was a bit much。 Great jubilee reading though。
Lori White
，
The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen， the Dresser and the Wardrobe offers a unique look behind the closed doors of HRM Queen Elizabeth's palaces， and is a great read to add to your Platinum Jubilee reading list。 Angela Kelly has been The Queen's dresser and more for nearly three decades， and from the stories she shared， it is clear the two are much more than just royal and servant， employer and employee。 They are friends， and their relationship comes across as both genuine and very， very proper The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen， the Dresser and the Wardrobe offers a unique look behind the closed doors of HRM Queen Elizabeth's palaces， and is a great read to add to your Platinum Jubilee reading list。 Angela Kelly has been The Queen's dresser and more for nearly three decades， and from the stories she shared， it is clear the two are much more than just royal and servant， employer and employee。 They are friends， and their relationship comes across as both genuine and very， very proper。 As an American who has long admired HRM， I really enjoyed this book and the insights it provided into her personality， her outlook on life and the dedication she brings to the role she was born to play。 I also enjoyed the look into her closet， and the way those decisions are made。 Despite all that， I finished the book with an uneasy sense that I had looked behind the screen and found， not the Wonderful Wizard of Oz， but rather an aging figurehead whose entire life has been bound by traditions and customs， few of which she has had any impact on or control over。 There was a bit of sadness， truth-be-told。Still， an easy， enjoyable read， and one I'd recommend for anyone interested in HRM or how clothes make the majesty！ 。。。more
aprilla
，
I thought it would be different， didn't finish I thought it would be different， didn't finish 。。。more
Emma
，
I read this just after the Queen's Platinum Jubilee which was a great time to read it。 I found it really interesting to read about the ins and outs of choosing and creating the Queen's outfits， and how the dynamics between the staff and royals work。 It did get a bit repetitive later on in the book， but if you're interested in history and tradition of the royal family， in fashion， or are just nosy， then it's worth a read。 I read this just after the Queen's Platinum Jubilee which was a great time to read it。 I found it really interesting to read about the ins and outs of choosing and creating the Queen's outfits， and how the dynamics between the staff and royals work。 It did get a bit repetitive later on in the book， but if you're interested in history and tradition of the royal family， in fashion， or are just nosy， then it's worth a read。 。。。more
Jenny
，
The Other Side of the Coin is written about as well as you might expect， given that the author has devoted her life to the care and keeping of Queen Elizabeth's wardrobe， not the craft of writing。 As a narrator， she also comes across as rather unlikable and arrogant in places。 （That could explained by the extreme care she had to take in writing， making sure absolutely everything was complimentary to the Queen。） All that said， she did give an interesting glimpse into life in the Royal Palace and The Other Side of the Coin is written about as well as you might expect， given that the author has devoted her life to the care and keeping of Queen Elizabeth's wardrobe， not the craft of writing。 As a narrator， she also comes across as rather unlikable and arrogant in places。 （That could explained by the extreme care she had to take in writing， making sure absolutely everything was complimentary to the Queen。） All that said， she did give an interesting glimpse into life in the Royal Palace and what goes into dressing a Queen。 I'm sure that all of it is carefully edited to give the exact impression the Palace wants to put out， but I enjoyed it for all that。 。。。more
Rosie （Schmidt） Simmons
，
For someone that follows the royal family， this was interesting and it helps you understand the behind the scene working of the Queen's wardrobe。 For someone that follows the royal family， this was interesting and it helps you understand the behind the scene working of the Queen's wardrobe。 。。。more
Dianne
，
This is an excellent time to do a review on this officially sanctioned book during the Platinum Jubilee。 Although fashion is not high on my list of priorities， I found this book to be intriguing and interesting。 Angela Kelly has been the dresser and designer for the Queen for 25 years。 As she creates designs for various occasions， she describes how the culture of countries and states underlie her designs。 For a Dublin visit， 2000 white shamrocks were attached to the bodice of her dress。 The Mi’k This is an excellent time to do a review on this officially sanctioned book during the Platinum Jubilee。 Although fashion is not high on my list of priorities， I found this book to be intriguing and interesting。 Angela Kelly has been the dresser and designer for the Queen for 25 years。 As she creates designs for various occasions， she describes how the culture of countries and states underlie her designs。 For a Dublin visit， 2000 white shamrocks were attached to the bodice of her dress。 The Mi’kmaq tribe in Canada did the embroidery on the cuffs and collar of her outfit when she visited them in Nova Scotia。 The Queen does her own makeup， lives modestly in a few rooms and Angela breaks in her shoes。 A description of how Queen Victoria’s deteriorating christening gown was replicated in a larger size as babies are larger now was very interesting。 A series of Queen Elizabeth posing as a model with her hands in her pockets shows her fun side。 The Queen is to be admired for going along with this collaboration and making the Royal House more personal。 。。。more
Amy
，
A delightful book to read during the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II。 3。5
Laura
，
Interesting book to listen to with the jubilee going on。 I have always been interested in Queen Elizabeth— her outfits and jewelry。
Lori
，
Interesting to learn all the thoughtful details behind the planning and making of the queen’s wardrobe， along with behind-the-scenes interactions with her。 It’s been especially good to read leading up to and during her platinum jubilee now！
Christine
，
Ms。 Kelly’s experience as The Queen’s dresser and personal assistant gave the reader a unique perspective into the complicated behind the scenes considerations when planning The Queen’s wardrobe。 As a seamstress myself， I enjoyed reading about the materials used and detail in each clothing and millinery item and the coordination of them。 I found Ms。 Kelly’s sense of humor and her dedication to The Queen refreshing。 The Queen always looks classy and well coordinated which is due in large part to Ms。 Kelly’s experience as The Queen’s dresser and personal assistant gave the reader a unique perspective into the complicated behind the scenes considerations when planning The Queen’s wardrobe。 As a seamstress myself， I enjoyed reading about the materials used and detail in each clothing and millinery item and the coordination of them。 I found Ms。 Kelly’s sense of humor and her dedication to The Queen refreshing。 The Queen always looks classy and well coordinated which is due in large part to the extensive research and thoughtful application of material and design overseen by Ms。 Kelly。 The photos were wonderful demonstrations of discussion points and added extensively to the book。 。。。more
Patricia Tucker
，
I purchased the Platinum Jubilee edition， May， 2022。 I love it！ I’ve only gone through， looked at photos and some of the stories， so far。 This is， definitely， a book I’ll go back to over and over。
Kunni Biener
，
meh。 HMTQ is lovely， well of course she is。 She never has a bad day， well of course she does， but you won't hear it from Ms。 Kelly's lips！ Honestly， the take away is that just the wardrobe changes must be exhausting for the Queen， even when she is on vacation。 There was a lot of patting herself on the back by Ms。 Kelly and not much insight about working in the Palace。 （None was expected about working with the Queen， I appreciate discretion） but the number of people mentioned in passing， their po meh。 HMTQ is lovely， well of course she is。 She never has a bad day， well of course she does， but you won't hear it from Ms。 Kelly's lips！ Honestly， the take away is that just the wardrobe changes must be exhausting for the Queen， even when she is on vacation。 There was a lot of patting herself on the back by Ms。 Kelly and not much insight about working in the Palace。 （None was expected about working with the Queen， I appreciate discretion） but the number of people mentioned in passing， their positions could have been more fleshed out， along with more about how the job seemed akin to joining a convent， very little free time when one works for the Queen， how does Ms。 Kelly make that work？ As for her wardrobe and jewels， there was less mentioned than advertised， especially about jewels which the author states that she dealt with in her prior book。 。。。more
Kath
，
Sycophantic in the extreme， but the author is obviously an extremely talented dressmaker and designer and excellent in her role。 There were some beautiful photographs。
Sara
，
I loved this book for the beautiful pictures and the lovely insight into the Queen's life。 I enjoyed learning about her work and the Queen's duties， and how much behind the scenes work goes into making events flow seamlessly， even when they are back to back。The writing was a bit stiff and always left you wanting more， which I suppose is the way it must be when working with someone in the spotlight。 But I did enjoy it！ I loved this book for the beautiful pictures and the lovely insight into the Queen's life。 I enjoyed learning about her work and the Queen's duties， and how much behind the scenes work goes into making events flow seamlessly， even when they are back to back。The writing was a bit stiff and always left you wanting more， which I suppose is the way it must be when working with someone in the spotlight。 But I did enjoy it！ 。。。more
Jeannine
，