Queen does her own make-up 364 days a year and only hires a professional when she records her Christmas Day message, royal dresser Angela Kelly reveals
- Angela Kelly revealed that the Queen only hires a make-up artist one day a year
- She brings in TV makeup artist Marilyn Widdess ahead of her Christmas message
- Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle reportedly enjoy doing their own make-up
With almost a century of royal service under her belt, the Queen always looks pristine at public appearances.
But although she could have the world’s top beautician’s at her beck and call, Her Majesty does her own make-up all year round, only hiring a professional for the recording of the Christmas Day message.
Royal dresser Angela Kelly, who has worked with Elizabeth II for the past 25 years, revealed that when the Queen records annual Christmas speech, she arranges for TV make-up artist Marilyn Widdess to be there on the day of filming.
Despite having the best beauticians in the world and her beck and call, her Majesty does her own make-up all year round, only hiring a professional ahead of her recording of the Christmas Day message (Pictured with Prince Philip in 2011 at the Braemar Highland Games)
‘You might be surprised to know that this is the only occasion throughout the year when Her Majesty does not do her own make up,’ she said, in her new book, The Other Side of the Coin: the Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe.
At 93, the monarch’s distinctive look includes a pop of fuchsia pink lipstick, a subtle blusher and a light eyeliner.
The Queens biographer, Sally Bedell Smith, has previously claimed the royal is a fan of Clarins lipstick.
As well as Clarins, she is also reportedly a fan of Elizabeth Arden products.
Royal dresser Angela Kelly (left) who has worked with Elizabeth II (right) for the past 25 years, revealed that when the Queen records her much loved December 25 speech, she arranges for TV makeup artist Marilyn Widdess to be there on the day of filming.
And the Queen certainly isn’t the only royal who is happy to operate without the services of a glam squad.
Her granddaughter-in-law Kate Middleton, reportedly did her own make-up for her wedding to second-in-line to the throne, Prince William.
Meghan Markle enlisted her friend Daniel Martin to create her bridal look for her 2018 nuptials to Prince Harry, but prefers to go it alone for her royal engagements.
Daniel previously told People magazine: ‘She’s been doing her make-up herself. She’s not fussy – she’s just trying to get it on and get out the door.’
Both Kate Middleton (left) and Meghan Markle (right) are reportedly comfortably with doing their make-up
The Duchess of Sussex’s beauty guru also revealed he arranged Meghan’s wedding day via text message because the pair were too busy to do a trial run.
He told Harper’s Bazaar earlier this year he was too busy to travel to London beforehand so they had no opportunity to practice the look – despite some 17 million people tuning in to watch the big day.
‘I was in New York and she was in London and there was no time because of my crazy schedule to be able to go there,’ said Martin, who joined Meghan in New York last week for her lavish baby shower.
‘I knew exactly what she wanted and the day of the wedding was just us getting together and doing her make-up like usual.’
- The Other Side of the Coin by Angela Kelly (HarperCollins, £20).