Queen 'deeply upset' after long-serving housekeeper passes away

One of the Queen's most trusted royal aides has suddenly passed away, which has left her "deeply upset".

Annette Wilkin worked for the royal family for over 45 years, but after coming down with a short illness, which has not been disclosed, she died aged 72 which has come as a "shock" in the royal household.

A royal insider told the Daily Mail that Annette was "absolutely adored" by all of the royal family, particularly the Queen. So much so, Her Majesty gifted her one of her beloved corgis.

"We all called Annette the Queen because she had a regal air about her and a lovely cut-glass accent," the sourced added.

Annette began working for the royal family in 1974 working as a housekeeper, and eventually worked her way up to being head housekeeper at Windsor Castle.

While she initially retired in 2014, the monarch wanted to keep her around and employed her as an assistant dresser. Annette worked alongside the Queen's main dresser, Angela Kelly.

The Queen, 93, also gave Annette "a grace and favour cottage" to reside in on the Windsor Estate, so she was still nearby.

According to the Daily Mail, while the Queen does not normally attend funerals "as a rule", she is set to attend Annette's because she was so fond of her.

Meanwhile Dickie Arbiter, the Queen's former press secretary, shared on social media some fond memories he had of Annette.

Annette recently appeared in a BBC documentary, The Queen's Castle: Go Behind the Scenes at Windsor Castle, discussing the royal residence and Her Majesty.

"I think first and foremost it's a home, and whose home that's the most important to all of us, the Queen," she said.

"It's a bit like looking after your own home, but on this massive scale.

"We have a very good boss, who will see everything – nothing gets missed."