King Charles purchased a £465,000 three-bedroom bungalow in Yorkshire for Angela Kelly, 66, one of Queen Elizabeth’s closest confidantes and former dresser, after she was asked to leave her Grade II-listed cottage on the Windsor estate following the Queen’s death in 2022. The gesture was seen as honoring the Queen’s promise of lifelong accommodation for her dedicated employee, and the property will reportedly go back to the Crown upon Ms. Kelly’s passing. Despite being a departure from her historic Windsor home, the bungalow offers a spacious lounge, cozy dining room, and open-plan kitchen, all paid for from the Royal Family’s Coutts bank account.
The 80s-style bungalow, set in the picturesque Peak District with stunning views of rolling hills, was part of a discreet agreement that reportedly includes a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) prohibiting Ms. Kelly from using the words ‘King’ and ‘Palace’ for commercial purposes. This move has been likened to a ‘gagging order’ by insiders. Ms. Kelly, who had a close relationship with the late Queen and published books about her experiences, was among the handful of staff by the Queen’s side during her final days, but also faced some controversies due to her temperament, earning her the nickname ‘AK-47′.
In a bittersweet turn of events, Ms. Kelly was seen emotional while packing up her belongings from her Windsor cottage to start a new chapter in her life in the North last year. Her move to the bungalow, although less grandiose, represents King Charles’ acknowledgment of her dedication and service to the Queen, ensuring she has a place to call home after years of loyal service to the Royal Family.