Why will Prince Harry be ‘quaking in his boots’ over news of a film following life of one of the late Queen’s most trusted confidantes? CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS claims Angela Kelly witnessed Tiaragate ‘incident’ the Sussexes are ‘praying’ never comes out
A film about Angela Kelly, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s trusted dresser and confidante, is in development at Fox Searchlight. Royal commentators say a scripted drama could allow Kelly to take part, though her involvement has not been confirmed; the project matters because it may revisit tensions around the royal household and Prince Harry’s account of the “Tiaragate” dispute.
The film is reportedly being written by Jeremy Brock and has the working title *Trouble*. Harry’s memoir *Spare* accused Kelly of delaying Meghan’s access to a wedding tiara before a hair trial, while a commentator claimed Kelly witnessed another incident from that period that the Sussexes would rather not see portrayed. Kelly, 68, became the Queen’s Personal Assistant and wardrobe curator, but reports say she was moved out of her royal residence soon after the Queen’s death.
- A Fox Searchlight film about Angela Kelly is in development.
- Jeremy Brock may be writing the drama, reportedly titled *Trouble*.
- The film could revisit the tiara dispute described in Harry’s memoir.
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Angela Kelly was the late Queen Elizabeth II's closest personal assistant and dresser for decades, responsible for the monarch's daily wardrobe and accompanying her throughout official duties. She was among the most trusted members of the royal household until Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022, after which Kelly was reportedly moved out of her royal residence.
A significant tension emerged between Kelly and Prince Harry and Meghan around their 2018 wedding. Harry's memoir Spare alleged that Kelly delayed Meghan's access to a tiara before an important hair trial, an incident widely known as "Tiaragate". According to recent reports, Kelly may also have witnessed other incidents from that period that the Sussexes want to keep private.
A film about Kelly's life is now in development at Fox Searchlight. Should Kelly participate in the project, it could revisit the tensions between her and Harry and Meghan during the wedding period, potentially bringing to light details the couple would rather stay confidential.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Angela Kelly is a significant historical figure whose perspective on her decades serving the Queen holds genuine public interest value. Given that Prince Harry already publicly discussed the Tiaragate incident in his memoir Spare, creating a dramatic account that presents Kelly's side of this episode simply allows another key participant's truth to be heard about an already-public matter. Artists have a legitimate role in exploring real events involving public figures, and such dramatisation can serve historical understanding by presenting multiple perspectives on how decisions were made within the royal household.
The case against
Dramatising private family disputes risks treating genuine pain as entertainment, particularly when the Sussexes cannot meaningfully consent to or participate in how their conflicts are portrayed on screen. Although Prince Harry mentioned Tiaragate in his memoir, a scripted drama amplifies this narrative far beyond the original discussion and risks perpetuating a one-sided account without balanced representation from all parties involved. The timing and apparent intent to revisit these disputes suggest a priority for entertainment value over privacy and dignity, raising serious questions about whether such a project serves the public interest or simply profits from private suffering.