Queen Camilla’s dresser ruffles Palace feathers by policing Kate Middleton’s fashion plans

One of Queen Camilla’s closest aides is ruffling feathers in Buckingham Palace, as she takes on what might be the toughest job for royal aides.

Jacqui Meakin is Dresser to the Queen, putting her in charge of choosing outfits for the most senior woman in the royal family.

But Camilla’s long-time dresser has been raising eyebrows among other Palace servants by asking what other royals are planning to wear — and enforcing the royal rule that Queen Consort Camilla’s preferences come first.

That makes Meakin the target of Palace whispers and a cruel nickname: she is known as “Ms. Meakin.”

“She’s very petite but has a big character,” says one palace insider. “She is quietly spoken and unfussy but knows what she wants and has a very strong character.”

Apparently, the color blue is particularly problematic as it’s a favorite of both Camilla and Kate, the Princess of Wales. 

“Nobody likes to be told what to wear, especially senior members of the royal family, but when it comes to events they attend alongside the Queen, they must bow to her preferences and play second fiddle,” adds the Buckingham Palace source. 

“Camilla particularly likes a pale shade of blue and a dark navy and so does Kate. But when it comes to events where they can’t wear the same color, Kate obviously has to change her choice.”

Other sources said that Meakin’s nickname is not cruel but affectionate, and that while she is no-nonsense, she is unfailingly helpful.

The coronation of King Charles on Saturday is also throwing up a few headaches. The royal ladies all need to wear white and both Camilla and Kate favor a bright and therefore more flattering white, but cannot wear identical shades. 

“It is a minefield for Jacqui, who has to ensure the ladies’ outfits at the coronation and all of the events around it don’t clash – it’s hard for her to navigate telling royals what they can and cannot wear and it takes a seasoned professional to do it,” adds the source. 

Meakin becoming a target for Palace whispers makes her the second dresser to the queen in a row to be a controversial figure — which might suggest the role makes its occupant a target.

Queen Elizabeth’s II’s stylist Angela Kelly was once one of the most powerful people in Buckingham Palace. Nicknamed “AK-47” – a play on her initials and a Russian machine gun because of her quick-fire temper – she was a firm favorite of the Queen and one of her final companions. 

She held the keys not only to the royal wardrobe but also to Queen Elizabeth II’s jewels which prompted a famous row with Prince Harry when his then-wife-to-be Meghan Markle wanted to try on her tiara for a rehearsal with her hairdresser and had to wait for Angela to give him permission. 

Calling Angela “obstructive” and “a troublemaker,” her power was so assured that she could even afford to annoy the Queen’s grandson; no longer. 

Jacqui has worked for the royal family even longer than Angela and was a favorite of the late Queen Mother; she is known for her discretion.

When the Queen Mother died in 2002, Jacqui worked for Queen Elizabeth and was then taken up by Camilla whose “horsey” look of jodhpurs and sweaters needed an urgent update as it became clear she would marry the heir to the throne. 

Since then, she has helped Camilla find her style with a selection of single-breasted jackets and coat dresses with elongated waists.

Camilla also favors a good hat and outfits which feature a discreet slit neck and bracelet sleeves – all the better to show off some of the exquisite jewels she now has easy access to. 

Jacqui is constantly in contact with Camilla’s favorite designers, who include Bruce Oldfield – the designer of her coronation dress – and Fiona Clare who has said: “I go through Jacqui for everything to do with the Queen. She’s amazing. She organizes all the fittings and I think she even finds certain pieces for her. I send my sketches to Jacqui first and the Queen makes the ultimate decision. She knows what she likes and she’s growing in confidence.”

Like Kelly, Jacqui is from the North of the country – the city of Newcastle – and is a proud “Geordie” as people from the city are called. Also, like Kelly, she is a straight talker who has become a confidante as well as a member of staff.

“She has become very close to Camilla – there is a lot of laughter when they are together,” adds the source. “She is also very calm which is important when you have a job as big as hers.”

Meanwhile, the end of the AK-47 reign shows just how quickly one can go from being a royal favorite to practically being an outcast as one reign is replaced by another. 

At the weekend it was confirmed that Angela, who was Elizabeth II’s dresser and confidante for two decades, had been forced to leave her Windsor cottage in the royal park even though the Queen had promised her a home for life.

Posting photographs on Instagram she wrote: “Getting ready to say goodbye.” She added: “I am too old to worry about who likes me and who dislikes me! I have more important things to do! If you love me – I love you! If you support me – I support you. If you have me – I don’t care.”

It is believed King Charles II has bought Angela a home in the North East of the country so that she can be near her family but the message was clear; AK-47 was gone.

The King is said to have been left uncomfortable at the power Angela wielded over his mother — and in particular that the Queen allowed her to write two books about her work for the Queen.

There was disquiet in royal circles about some of the photographs used in the books taken by Angela because they showed the monarch so relaxed. One had the monarch with her hands in her pockets and in a second she had her feet up on a chaise.