Auntie's army, a very grand household

Every one of her loyal personal staff will be lost in their thoughts today, her death felt more intensely than ever. To them all, the Queen Mother was "Auntie" - though, of course, none would ever have dreamt of using that affectionate nickname to her face.

For they were much more than loyal retainers. They were in a very real sense her friends, and she regarded them as members of her "extended family". The funeral not only finally marks the Queen Mother's passing but also that of a very grand household, quite unlike any other that survived into the early 21st century. It was Edwardian in its splendour and, even at the end of the great lady's life, more than a dozen full-time staff were employed in Clarence House alone to ensure she had the very best of everything when in London.

When she retired for the night, a watchman would take up his position outside her door, as one had all her life at all her homes.

The signal for her going to bed was always a ring on her bell, at which juncture her staff would whisper to each other, "Auntie has her hand on the Faberge". How appropriate it was for a Queen who lived so majestically that the bell she rang was the priceless work of the court jeweller to the last Czar of Russia.

Yet, amid the gold plate and crystal glass and silver, there was genuine affection. Socially, it may have been "upstairs downstairs" but, in their personal relationships, the Queen Mother and her staff met in the middle. When retirement came around for them she would always say: "I don't see why you should retire - I haven't." So they never did.

Of all the royal family's, her staff turnover was the lowest. The rest of The Firm may have succumbed to cutbacks and economies but inside Clarence House the Edwardian era never ended. Her staff were happy to keep it that way.

Over time her staff invariably acquired many of the habits and mannerisms of their royal employer. She once employed two women dressers named Field and Suckling - in the old-fashioned way the Queen Mother always referred to them by surnames - who became almost grander than their royal employer.

Suckling dressed almost exactly like the Queen Mother, right down to the taste in handbags. They were actually made by Field to match whichever evening dress the Queen Mother - and Suckling - was wearing. Field is probably best remembered, though, for once coming down the steps of an aircraft in which the royal party was travelling carrying a hatbox which flew open to reveal a bottle of gin - much to the amusement of the Queen Mother.

Reginald Wilcox, her Page of the Presence - the servant who would control personal access to the Queen Mother - was with her for 40 years. He saw her through to her 100th birthday, and died only a few days later. A forthright Yorkshireman, he came to the Queen Mother's household via the Duke of Windsor, whose style he had observed closely.

The Queen Mother's steward, William "Billy" Tallon, her chief member of staff and Reginald's close friend, learned to imitate the exiled king with uncanny perfection.

Recounting a meeting with the Duke, Tallon recalled him asking in a fake accent that mixed Cockney with American: "How are yer and whadda yer do?" When Tallon replied: "I work for your sister-in-law, the Queen, Your Royal Highness," the Duke commented, "Verrry nice too".

Tallon had been with the Queen Mother since he was 15, and she considered him indispensable. On one occasion, when he broke his arm and couldn't accompany her to Scotland, he received a three-page letter from the Queen Mother wishing him well and asking him why he didn't come up, as the fresh air would do him good. He went.

Billy is a charming and courteous man who devoted his life to the lady he always called Queen Elizabeth. In order to be on hand to serve her needs, he moved into a doll's house of a cottage at the foot of Clarence House garden overlooking the Mall.

When the Queen Mother came to inspect it when he first moved in, she glanced into the bathroom and declared: "What fun. Isn't it marvellous to be able to take a bath in the Mall. Do you know, I've always wanted to."

The Queen Mother always enjoyed this kind of light-hearted exchange with her staff. As a result of this tolerant atmosphere they stayed with her for many years, growing older together and content in each other's company.

Many years ago her very old under-butler, James Frost, was asked how long he had been in royal service. He replied: "I have boiled water for five Queens."

That meant that he must have first worked for Victoria. Such longevity was exceptional but it was indicative of the bonds of attachment the Queen Mother forged with her staff.

She always refrained from giving them direct orders. If she did not like what someone said, or if she disagreed with something they had done, she would change the subject or convey her displeasure by euphemism, droll witticism or, most disconcerting of all, pointed politeness.

Once surveying the crowds gathered for luncheon in Clarence Houses's formal and rather gloomy ground-floor dining room, she remarked: "They're only here for the gilt." She was, of course, referring to her gold-plated lifestyle.

Unlike the Queen, the Queen Mother used to see her chef Michael Sealey every day when he brought her the menu book (always written in French). She was always picking food that was expensive and out of season, and justifying the extravagance with: "Oh, just a little treat, Michael."

Unlike Buckingham Palace ("up the road", as her staff called it), which is a far stuffier establishment, the Queen Mother always prevailed upon her household to join her for meals and they became firm friends.

Now that she is gone, many are planning to retire. After a lifetime in service, however, there are some who wish to carry on doing what they have always done.

Her private Secretary and Comptroller, Captain Sir Alastair Aird, who has been with her for 42 years, now has the onerous responsibility of trying to find alternative employment for those of her staff who wish to continue working.

Billy Tallon has been offered a job in the household of the Prince of Wales if he should so wish.

To the Prince, 66-year-old Billy is so much part of his life. He played a significant role in the prince's young life when he and his sister, Princess Anne, spent so much time at Royal Lodge - the Queen Mother's favourite home at Windsor - while the Queen and Prince Philip were away on their travels.

Nostalgia also plays its part, for Charles wants to keep Billy around as a living memory of his adored grandmother.

Others - such as John Collings, the Queen Mother's head chauffeur, who is married to Susan Percival, one of the Clarence House chefs; her two dressers, Mrs Jackie Meakin and assistant Miss Gaelle Seydoyx; Head Housekeeper Mrs Beverly Sullivan; and most recent Page of the Presence, Leslie Chappell - have yet to make up their minds what they want to do.

But, whatever they decide, royal life will never be the same again. They all played their part in ensuring Queen Elizabeth's world was secure, pampered, and fun.

In return, she cared for them and their problems of broken love affairs and wounded feelings.

As Lady Angela Oswald, one of her seven Ladies-in-Waiting, explained: "She was held in such affection because she took a great personal interest in all of them. She knew all about them and their families."

The Queen Mother lived her life in glorious style. It was her staff who ensured that it remained so to the end of her days.

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