Angela Kelly reveals the hilarious anecdote in her new book
Angela Kelly’s new book,
“The Other Side Of The Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe” has revealed some amazing details about her time with the Queen these 25 years. An interesting revelation is Her Majesty’s return April Fool’s joke.
This one happened back in 2006. The Queen was out on an engagement when Angela set up based on a prior conversation with Her Majesty.
The Queen and Prince Philip on tour in 2011
Here’s how Angela describes it.
“I had something in mind I thought The Queen would enjoy. Back at the Governor’s House I went up to her room to find the perfect perch. I placed it on the balcony in a little cage. I waited for her to return and when she came in I said, ‘Your Majesty, there’s a funny-looking grey bird on your balcony.’
“The Queen looked outside and shouted ‘It’s a kookaburra!’ I went to open the cage doors and she said loudly, ‘No! Don’t do that! It will fly away! And was behind me in a flash. Turning to Her Majesty while trying to keep a straight face, I solemnly told her it was dead. She looked horrified as I walked towards her with outstretched arms and as she took the bird from my hands, she realised I had been winding her up.
“‘April Fool!’ I said with a mischievous grin, and she only had two words for me: ‘You’re sacked!’ I was laughing uncontrollably as Her Majesty turned to His Royal Highness (Prince Philip) and said ‘Do you know what she has just done to me? Angela has had me!’ and I just couldn’t stop giggling.”
Her Majesty does take a good joke. More than a decade after Angela played that prank, she writes, “I’m pleased to say the toy is with us in Windsor castle and has pride of place on the back of the sofa in The Queen’s sitting room,” says Angela. “I laugh to myself every time I see it.”
