Angela Kelly, the former personal assistant and senior dresser to Queen Elizabeth II, has been featured in the Netflix series "The Crown." Portrayed by actress Lizzie Hopley, Kelly's character appears in the tenth episode of the show's sixth and final season. Although not directly named in the episode, she is credited as "Angela Kelly - Queen's Dresser."
In the series, Kelly is shown attending to Queen Elizabeth II, played by Imelda Staunton, at Buckingham Palace. She selects, presses, and arranges the Queen's attire and casually discusses the day's agenda. This portrayal reflects the real-life close relationship between Kelly and the Queen.
Is that supposed to be Angela Kelly? Lol Well dramatised scene I must say... pic.twitter.com/hJBAj5UJxZ — Just Royals (@WindenburgRoyal) December 15, 2023
Hopley, discussing her role, noted the parallels between her own background and Kelly's, emphasizing their shared Liverpool origins. "Like me, she's a Scouser born to working-class parents but then she became this secret weapon to the queen," Hopley said. She added, "The queen headhunted her and then forbade her to have elocution for her Scouse accent, which says brilliant things about them both."
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams commented on the representation of Kelly in "The Crown," noting her significant influence and occasional tension with other royal staff members during her tenure. "The cameo was not judgemental. It simply represented a significant figure in the royal household," Fitzwilliams said of "The Crown" featuring Kelly.
Kelly was among those who attended Queen Elizabeth II's funeral service on September 19, 2022. She served as the monarch's personal assistant and senior dresser from 1993 to 2022. Hopley reflected on filming her scenes, "Working in the replica of her office felt close to experiencing Kelly's level of love and duty-all that loyalty and love poured into one woman. The queen described them as being more like sisters. What a tribute."
