Angela Kelly reveals how she prevents insider bets on the colour of the Queen’s Royal Ascot hat

The Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly reveals Her Majesty ‘loves a bargain’ – and says she even got TAX BACK on fabric bought on a royal visit to Singapore

  • Angela Kelly, 61, is the Queen’s confidante and dresser of 25 years
  • In a new book, published tomorrow, Mrs Kelly reveals the Queen ‘loves a bargain’
  • Recalled how she once got tax back on silk bought by the Queen in Singapore
  • Added she looks in a ‘bargain bin’ when choosing fabrics for Her Majesty 

She might be one of the richest women in Britain but the Queen still can’t resist the allure of a good bargain, her confidante has revealed.  

Dressmaker Angela Kelly, who has worked with Her Majesty for 25 years, revealed the Queen is just like the rest of us when it comes to getting her money’s worth. 

In an anecdote from her new book book – The Other Side Of The Coin: The Queen, The Dresser And The Wardrobe, which is published tomorrow and previewed in this week’s Hello! Magazine – Mrs Kelly tells how she even once reclaimed tax on fabrics bought for Her Majesty on a royal visit to Singapore.  

Bargain hunter! The Queen loves getting her money’s worth, according to dresser Angela Kelly. Mrs Kelly tells how on one trip to Singapore she even claimed tax back on fabrics bought for Her Majesty. Pictured, the Queen on her most recent visit to Singapore in March 2006

‘There’s never enough time to go to the market, but as Her Majesty loves Singaporean silk, local tradespeople bring their stalls to the airport whenever she is due to arrive so that she can personally browse all they have to offer,’ Mrs Kelly explains. 

The desired silks are then made ready to collect on the Royal party’s return to the airport at the end of the trip. 

The Queen earlier this month

Dressmaker Angela Kelly tells how she looks in the 'bargain basket' when it comes to selecting fabrics for Her Majesty's outfits

Thrifty: Dressmaker Angela Kelly (right) tells how she looks in the ‘bargain basket’ when it comes to selecting fabrics for Her Majesty’s outfits. Left, the Queen earlier this month

On one visit a few years’ ago – the Queen most recently visited Singapore in 2006 – Mrs Kelly was settling the bill when the stall owners suggested she claim tax back on the fabric. 

Read the full article in Hello! Magazine, out now.

Read the full article in Hello! Magazine, out now.

Mrs Kelly continues: ‘The Queen is always keen to keep costs down, so off I went in search of someone who could help.’ 

The process left Mrs Kelly rushing for the plane as it prepared for take-off – but it was worth the stress. 

‘I shouted over the plan’s engine a phrase I’m 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.’ 

The thrifty dressmaker also tells how she looks in the ‘bargain basket’ when it comes to selecting fabrics for Her Majesty’s outfits in the hope she can pick up a deal.

Read the full article in Hello! Magazine, out now.   

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk