Queen Elizabeth.Photo: Oli Scarff/WPA Pool/Getty
Queen Elizabethmay have been forced due to health and pandemic reasons to spend much of the last year at home at Windsor Castle, but she has a close-knit crew of friends and loyal staffers that she can call on.
The Queen, 95, who lost her husband of 73 years,Prince Philip, in April, and has also had several close friends die in recent months, has an intimate “bubble” of people to whom she’s close.
“The Queen can go from being magisterial to chatty with those she trusts. She has good judgment once she trusts people – and once she does it is very easy,” says a royal insider in thewinter issue of PEOPLERoyals, out Friday, Dec. 17.
Find the winter issue of PEOPLERoyalsat your local newsstand on Friday, Dec. 17 or subscribe atpeopleroyals.com/launch.
She is rarely alone and also has companionship from her discreet and loyal staff like dresser and close aide Angela Kelly and footman Paul Whybrew.
Those staffers within the “bubble” keeping the Queen from COVID find it to be “a cheerful place,” the insider adds. “Those who are in it cherish their place. They are a support for the Queen and someone that they can have a laugh with and she can talk about the issues of the day.”
Life is changing though. Gone is her daily cocktail, friends confirm — though she hasn’t given it up for good, and it wasn’t on medical advice as it was a habit that was already curtailed beforePrince Philip’s passing.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty
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Since mid-October, when shecanceled a trip to Northern Irelandon doctors' advice andspent a nightin the hospital for testing, she has been based at Windsor Castle. She was able to attend the joint christenings oftwo of her great-grandsonslate last month.
Soon, government COVID rules permitting, she will relocate with her close staff to Sandringham House in Norfolk, where she will entertain her family for the first Christmas since losing her beloved Philip.
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source: people.com
