Backstairs Billy finally retires

After half a century of loyal service, the Queen Mother's favourite servant has finally left Clarence House.

Billy Tallon, known as Backstairs Billy, is seen here moving his last possessions out of the Queen Mother's former home.

Mr Tallon, now 66, worked for the Queen Mother since the age of 16.

He played a key role at many state occasions and walked behind the Queen Mother's coffin when she was taken to lie in state at Westminster Abbey.

Leaving in a crumpled shirt - a far cry from his usual tailcoat - Mr Tallon took his belongings to his new home in more modest surroundings - a flat in Kennington.

The loss of his home has come as just the latest blow for Mr Tallon, whose longtime partner Reginald Wilcock, a Clarence House footman, died two years ago.

Buckingham Palace has said that Mr Tallon was retiring and had not been forced out. "Most people who worked for the Queen Mother were well beyond retirement age,"

said a spokeswoman. "Most of them stayed on because they wanted to stay on until the Queen Mother passed away."

Mr Tallon cannot stay at Clarence House, the spokeswoman said, because "an extensive upgrade is going to take place over the next few years".

Prince Charles has agreed to top up Mr Tallon's pension by £100 a week and he will be permitted to live at his new flat, owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, rent-free for the rest of his life.