Philomena Toussaint

Philomena Toussaint is the black, elderly neighbor of the Queen Mother in The Queen And I.

Character Role
Philomena is the usually cantankerous black cleaner, living in the pensioner's bungalow next to the door belonging to the Queen Mother. She lives a literally cold life - she never turns the heating on, she half-cooks her dinner and wears coats on in the house. This, it seems, in aid of her wanting to save up for a TV license. Philomena often reminisces about when her three sons, Fitzroy, Troy and Jethroe, lived at home as children. By The Queen And I, Fitzroy was a successful recession accountant, Troy had emigrated and Jethroe, the family baby, had died. Fitzroy is he only one that visits her, and whenever he does she plagues him with questions: 'Have you started wearing a vest?' 'Have you visited Jethroe's grave?' 'Have you heard from Troy?' Philomena started to enjoy the Queen Mother's company - they would meet and look through the family photo albums, remembering and chatting about various old friends and relatives. But, however, when the Queen Mum starts betting, drinking and gambling, Philomena leaves quickly - it is against her religious beliefs to be in a house while any of those three activities are going on. Philomena was at the bedside when the Queen Mum died, wetting her lips with a damp wad of cotton wool.

Philomena has either died or moved away by Queen Camilla, as she doesn't return for it.