In 60 years, theQueenhasneverputafootwronginpublic.
Andforthelast 24 ofthem, itturnsoutshe’shadasecretweapon – theunassumingEllaSlack.
TheformerBBCmanagerhas, unbeknowntoanyoneexceptahandfulofkeyadvisers, spentthelastquarterofacenturyactingastheQueen’sofficialstand-inatrehearsalsforroyalevents.
The 69-year-oldfromtheIsleofManhasneveracceptedapennyforherloyalservice, consideringit ‘apleasureandanhonour’ toensurethateverythingrunssmoothlyforthesovereign.
‘HowmanypeopleintheworldhavehadachancetositinaroyallandauorwalkontothedaisatWindsorCastleevenbeforetheQueenhasdoneso?’ shesaid.
WhileMissSlackmaynotresembletheQueenfacially, shehasasimilarbuildtothemonarch, standingjustshyof 5ft.
TheQueenis 5ft 2in.
Shebeganherremarkablerolein 1988, whenshewasworkingasmanageroftheBBC’ssportsandeventsdepartment.
AproduceraskedherifshecouldstandinfortheQueentocheckcameraanglesatarehearsalforRemembranceDayattheCenotaph – andhersecondcareerwasborn.
Sincethen, fromtheStateOpeningofParliamenttothe 50thanniversaryofVEday, wherevertheQueenisondutyMissSlackislikelytohavebeentherefirst.
ShehasperfectedherownversionoftheQueen’swardrobe, includingablackpatenthandbagsheboughtinacharityshopfor £1, andevenstylesherhairliketheQueen.
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