Queen’s grief over death of housekeeper
Aide had served her for 40 years – and was even given a royal corgi
The Queen has been left ‘deeply upset’ after the sudden death of one of her most loyal and long-serving aides.
Annette Wilkin, who began working for the monarch in 1974 and was so loved by her that she was even given one of her corgis, passed away suddenly after a short illness aged 72.
It is understood that the Queen is likely to go to her funeral, a rare honour as she does not attend them as a rule. Miss Wilkin, who served for 40 years at Windsor Castle, rose to become the head housekeeper and was known for her royal manner.
‘We all called Annette the Queen because she had a regal air about her and a lovely cut-glass accent,’ one royal insider said yesterday.
‘She was always immaculately dressed, fully in control of her job and kind to her staff.
‘The Queen and all the royals absolutely adored her and she was almost part of the family. She never married but was devoted to her job and gave her life to the royal family.’
Miss Wilkin is the latest in a long list of aides and friends who the Queen and Prince Philip have had to say goodbye to because of their extraordinary age.’
She started working at Windsor Castle as a teenage maid and worked her way up to be head housekeeper. She played a vital role after the 1992 fire that badly damaged the castle.
‘Annette was at the centre of getting the castle up and running again after it was repaired,’ said the source. ‘She was always upbeat and determined to get things back to normal. She inspired others and motivated them to work that extra bit harder to restore everything and the Queen always appreciated her hard work.’
Miss Wilkin was responsible for all the cleaning, bed linen and maids in three teams at Windsor Castle and nearby Frogmore house, which was the venue for the wedding reception of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The corgi given to her by the Queen was called Larch and would sit under her table in the office as Miss Wilkin planned the day. ‘ Annette would be in charge of getting rooms ready for visiting heads of state staying at the castle, unpacking their cases and carefully putting personal items like teddy bears in their place on the bed,’ another source said.
‘No detail was too much trouble for her, she was a perfectionist.’
Miss Wilkin recently featured in a documentary on Windsor Castle and can be seen on camera talking about her love for the royal residence and the Queen.
She said: ‘I think first and foremost it’s a home, and whose home – that’s the most important to all of us, the Queen.
‘It’s a bit like looking after your own home, but on this massive, massive scale. We have a very good boss, who will see everything. Nothing gets missed. ‘
Miss Wilkin retired in 2014 but the Queen was so keen to retain her services that she immediately reemployed her as an assistant dresser working with her personal assistant and senior dresser Angela Kelly.
The Queen even gave her a grace and favour cottage to live in at Windsor so that she could continue to be near her.
‘Annette was working until recently,’ said the source. ‘Then she suddenly became ill and had to go into hospital. She always seemed very fit so her death has come as a great shock.’
Last December another dresser, Peggy hoath, died aged 89, having worked for the Queen for nearly 40 years. At 93 and 97 the Queen and Prince Philip have outlived most of their friends and former aides.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment but an aide said: ‘Annette gave more than 45 years service to the Royal household and was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order [a personal gift of the Queen] for her dedicated work. She will be greatly missed.’
‘All the royals adored her’