A support network the Queen can always rely upon
In her grief, Her Majesty knows she can depend on a cohort of 22 staff nicknamed ‘HMS Bubble’
IN KEEPING with social distancing regulations, Her Majesty sat two metres apart from the rest of the Royal family.
As a consequence of Covid rules, the only people allowed to sit closer to her are her “bubble” of 22 Royal Household staff. These are the people who will be now on hand to provide the Queen with consoling company.
Last year, they were nicknamed “HMS Bubble” by Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the household and former Royal Navy officer. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh much enjoyed the joke, not least because the Duke’s wartime nickname was “Big Bubble”.
In an email sent to all staff last year, Sir Tony wrote: “There are 22 Royal Household staff inside the Bubble, and it struck me that our predicament is not dissimilar to my former life in the Royal Navy on a long overseas deployment.
“Indeed, the challenges that we are facing, whether self-isolating alone at home, or with our close household and families, have parallels with being at sea, away from home for many months, and having to deal with a sense of dislocation, anxiety and uncertainty. Regardless of the roles we perform, we do them to an exceptional standard to allow the Queen and other members to do their duty to the best of their ability, too.”
When the first lockdown began, the Queen confined herself to her private apartments in the upper ward of Windsor Castle with those 22 staff. The closest of all is her senior dresser, Angela Kelly, who has worked for her since 1993. Throughout lockdown, she has been visiting the Queen at Windsor Castle, driving every day in a disinfected car from her grace-and-favour home in Windsor.
The Queen trusts her so much that she has let her write two books – with a third in the pipeline – about royal life. Their backgrounds may be different – Ms Kelly, 62, divorced three times, was brought up in a council house, the daughter of a crane operator at Liverpool Docks. But they chat away happily and know each other inside out, quite literally: Ms Kelly breaks in the Queen’s new shoes before she wears them.
There is a long history of monarchs growing close to their aides, notably Queen Victoria with her Scottish attendant, John Brown, and her Indian attendant, the Munshi. There were suggestions that Victoria grew particularly close to Brown.
In her widowhood, the staff in the Queen’s bubble, while remaining entirely professional, will be a comfort.
She has been seen walking her dogs at Windsor this week. And, no doubt, she will soon ride her favourite ponies, Carltonlima Emma and Balmoral Fern, in the company of her head groom, Terry Pendry.
Already, the Queen has restarted professional duties, conducting a telephone call with Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister. Her governmental work will be carried out via another member of HMS Bubble, Sir Edward Young, her private secretary.
This week, she has been in constant touch, too, with the Lord Chamberlain of the Household, Lord Parker, former director-general of MI5. On Tuesday, she held a farewell audience with her previous lord chamberlain, Earl Peel, who held the post for 14 years.
Ever-present in her household through lockdown has been the Queen’s page of the backstairs, Paul Whybrew. Known as “Tall Paul”, he is renowned for starring alongside her in the James Bond sketch with Daniel Craig at the 2012 Olympics. Said to be a calming presence, he is understood to be the aide who accompanies Her Majesty when she settles down to watch television.
Another member of HMS Bubble with a prominent role to play at the funeral is Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell, the
‘We perform our roles to an exceptional standard to allow the Queen to do her duty to the best of her ability’
Duke of Edinburgh’s private secretary, who worked for him since 2010, arranging his diary and standing in for him at events.
Since the latest relaxation in Covid rules, members of the Royal family have been allowed to visit the Queen, albeit at distance. Prince Andrew lives only a few miles away at Royal Lodge. Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, who is particularly close to the Queen, are 11 miles away at Bagshot Park.
Prince Charles and Princess Anne have also been in regular contact.
The Queen’s closest friends will be on hand to support her, even if they are not in her bubble. Her ladies-in-waiting – known as Women of the Bedchamber – are devoted to her and have worked for her for decades. They include Lady Susan Hussey, 81; the Hon Dame Mary Anne Morrison, 83; Lady Elton, 83; the Hon Dame Annabel Whitehead, 78; and the Countess of Airlie, 88.
In her grief, the Queen knows her family, friends and staff will do all they can to support her, whether they are in or out of HMS Bubble.