When you think about the royal family, money probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind as an issue. But here’s something that might surprise you: a current employee of Queen Elizabeth revealed that Her Majesty is incredibly frugal. In a detailed 304-page book titled The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe, dressmaker Angela Kelly shares why she believes the royal matriarch is one of the most prudent people she knows.
Inside the Queen's Smart Shopping Habits
In this revealing book, which hit stores on Tuesday, October 29, Angela dives into why Elizabeth, who just turned 93, is one of the savviest shoppers around. Now, before you jump to conclusions, let me tell you this: even though the queen doesn’t have to worry about her finances, Angela explains that she loves the idea of shopping at thrift stores. Angela, who has been a personal assistant and senior dresser to the queen since 2002, dishes on how Elizabeth’s thrifty mindset shines through in her fashion choices.
Thrift Store Finds for the Queen
Angela goes into great detail about her thrifting adventures, explaining that every time she hits up a thrift store to find Elizabeth's next outfit, she makes it a point to check out the "bargain basket." While the queen doesn’t accompany Angela on these shopping trips, Angela shares that she often picks up "a vibrant fabric," keeping in mind Elizabeth’s love for bright colors. This ensures that the queen's wardrobe stays both stylish and cost-effective.
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Almost Missing a Flight for Silk
Angela even tells a hilarious story about the time she almost missed her flight home because she was so focused on getting a great deal on silk in Singapore. As the British fashion designer who has been creating dresses for the queen for the past 25 years, Angela recounted this memorable tale to Hello magazine. "A few years ago, after Her Majesty’s Ladies-in-Waiting and I had collected our parcels of silk, I went to make the payment and the stall owners advised me that I could claim tax back on the purchase," Angela explains in the book. "The queen is always keen to keep costs down, so off I went in search of someone who could help."
Running Across the Tarmac for a Good Deal
Angela continues, "A few minutes later, as I was getting the tax back, another member of the royal staff rushed up to me in a panic, shouting that we had to go straight away as the plane was leaving right that second. Soon I was running across the tarmac, flying up the steps to the plane just in time." Angela remembers, "I was so thrilled, I shouted over the plane’s engines a phrase I am sure the queen does not hear very often: ‘I’ve got your tax back!’ The look on the Queen’s face was priceless as I handed her the tax refund." Can you imagine the queen’s reaction to that? Priceless, right?
Frugal Habits at Buckingham Palace
A source close to the royal family previously told Closer Weekly that the queen is especially careful with her money when it comes to managing expenses at Buckingham Palace. “She regularly wanders around the corridors of her homes switching off electric lights,” Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler, exclusively told Closer
