The Queen didn't speak after Prince Philip's funeral and wanted to be "alone with her own thoughts", her closest aid and friend has revealed.
After saying goodbye to her "strength and stay" at a small service hit by Covid restrictions, the Monarch returned to her private apartment at Windsor Castle with Angela Kelly.
Speaking about the sombre afternoon, Angela explains: "I helped her off with her coat and hat and no words were spoken. The Queen then walked to her sitting room, closed the door behind her, and she was alone with her own thoughts."
Angela shares details of the private afternoon in an undated version of her book The Other Side of the Coin, which has been serialised in Hello! magazine ahead of its publication next month.
She's been the monarch's personal advisor and senior dresser for almost 30 years, working with her closely every day, and is the first member of royal staff to be given permission from the monarch to release a book.
The new chapter shares details of how the Queen dealt with the Covid lockdowns and Prince Philip's death.
Recalling the day of the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, Angela recalls out the household staff came out to pay their respects as Philip's coffin left the castle.
She said: "The Queen's dressers, pages, chefs, housemaids, footmen and Castle attendants all stood to attention as The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin was carefully placed onto the Land Rover that he had specially designed for the day.
"You could see the expression of sadness on everyone's faces to see such a great and well-respected man making his last journey. Their thoughts, I'm sure, were for The Queen, knowing she had lost a husband and a best friend. The nation shared the grief and their hearts went out to Her Majesty."
The Queen first met Angela, who grew up in a council house in Liverpool, during a visit to Germany. Angela was working as a housekeeper for the British Ambassador in Berlin, who was the Monarch's host.
When Angela returned to the UK the following year the Monarch offered her a job as her dresser.
In an interview with The Telegraph in 2007, Angela said of her hiring: "I suppose the Queen must have liked me and decided I was trustworthy and discreet."
Angela's official title is personal assistant, adviser, and curator (jewellery, insignias, and wardrobe), but behind closed doors, she is more importantly a trusted confidante and friend.
And it is said that when the Queen tells staff she is "stepping out for a bit" it is actually royal code for her popping to see Ms Kelly.
"We are two typical women," Angela told The Telegraph in a rare interview in 2007.
"We discuss clothes, make-up, jewellery. We say, 'Would this piece of jewellery look nice with that outfit?', and things like that."
Their close relationship has however reportedly caused jealousy among other members of staff, with Angela joking: "I don't have any more room for knives in my back."
