A new feature film focusing on the intimate bond between the late Queen Elizabeth II and her personal dresser, Angela Kelly , is currently in development. produced by Fox Searchlight, the project may involve writer Jeremy Brock and is tentatively titled Trouble.
Why 'Trouble' targets the Tiaragate feud with Prince Harry
The working title Trouble appears to be a direct reference to the friction between Angela Kelly and the Duke of Sussex. According to a report by Richard Eden of the Daily Mail, the film will likely explore the tensions that culminated in the "Tiaragate" incident. In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry accused Angela Kelly of intentionally delaying Meghan Markle's access to a wedding tiara for a hair trial, describing the dresser as a troublemaker who exerted undue influence over the Queen.
By framing the narrative around this conflict, Fox Searchlight is positioning the film not just as a royal biopic, but as a study of the internal power struggles within the monarchy.. This approach mirrors a broader trend in royal media where the focus has shifted from the sovereign's public duties to the private grievances of the household staff and family members.
The 'AK-47' persona and the battle for the Queen's ear
Angela Kelly's trajectory from a working-class background in Liverpool to the inner sanctum of Buckingham Palace provides a classic cinematic arc. as reported by the Daily Mail, Kelly eventually rose to become the Queen's Personal Assistant and the official Curator of her wardrobe. Her proximity to the monarch earned her the respect of Queen Elizabeth II, who reportedly viewed Kelly as a sister, but it earned her the ire of other courtiers.
The internal politics of the palace were so fraught that some staff members allegedly nicknamed Angela Kelly "AK-47," a play on her initials and the submachine gun, reflecting her combative nature. This dynamic highlights the "fiefdoms" that exist within royal households , where staff members guard their access to the monarch with fierce jealousy. The film's focus on these interpersonal clashes suggests a narrative style more akin to a political thriller than a traditional royal romance.
The locked doors following the Queen's death at 96
One of the most poignant and contentious elements of the story involves the immediate aftermath of the Queen's passing at age 96. Rebecca English, the Royal Editor for the Daily Mail, noted that Angela Kelly was ushered out of her "grace and favour" home with surprising speed. English further claimed that the palace effectively changed the locks to prevent Kelly from returning, a move that reportedly left the long-time confidante feeling deeply hurt.
This abrupt transition raises a critical question that remains unanswered: is Angela Kelly actually collaborating on the script? While the project is in development, it is not yet known if the 68-year-old former dresser is providing her own perspective or if the film is being constructed from third-party accounts and public memoirs. if Kelly is not involved, the film may rely heavily on the antagonistic portrayals found in Prince Harry's writings.
Jeremy Brock's transition from 'A Very Royal Scandal' to the Palace
The potential attachment of writer Jeremy Brock suggests that the film will lean into the "drama" aspect rather than a documentary format. brock has a proven track record with royal narratives, having written the Prime Video series A Very Royal Scandal, which focused on Prince Andrew's infamous Newsnight interview . His involvement indicates that Fox Searchlight is seeking a writer capable of balancing historical fact with the heightened tension of a scripted drama.
The decision to avoid a documentary format may be a strategic move to allow for more creative license in depicting the private conversations between Queen Elizabeth II and Angela Kelly . As discussed on the Palace Confidential podcast, this dramatic approach might actually make it more palatable for Kelly to participate, as it frames the story as a character study rather than a strictly factual deposition of palace life.
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