Why the Queen carried her handbag indoors during Boris Johnson meeting – and it’s all to do with sending signals to staff
WHEN it comes to having a signature style, few individuals are more iconic than the Queen with her trusty handbag.
Her Maj, 93, is rarely seen without her trademark Launer bag over her arm – and a royal expert has revealed why she even carries it when inside.
The Queen showcased her favourite accessory on Wednesday when she had a private meeting with new prime minister Boris Johnson in the Audience Room at Buckingham Palace.
But why did the monarch need to carry it when she was in her own home?
Royal expert Phil Dampier told Fabulous Digital: “She carries it inside because it has things she needs like her reading glasses and fountain pen.
And it also has another function – as the Queen uses it to send signals to her staff.
The monarch places her famous handbag on a chair if she wishes to have a prolonged chat with a guest.
However, if she moves her bag to the floor, this would signal she wishes her staff to end the conversation promptly.
At dinner and lunches, if the bag is placed on the table it means she would like to end the event in five or so minutes.
A dangling bag in her left, crooked arm, as was seen with Boris, indicated she is comfortable and happy.
THE QUEEN'S ICONIC HANDBAG
The Queen has been using the London-based Launer firm for her bags and they have had the official warrant for the past 40 years.
The bags are hand-made in a factory in Walsall and can range from £500 to £1,000 depending on the design.
They can be made from a range of skins, including soft calf, lizard, alligator or ostrich.
Each bag carries the brand's famous intertwined gold rope logo.
The Queen typically likes a high-quality leather version, usually in a dark shade.
The company released a range of "millenial-style" colours last year, from yellow to turquoise, and pink to violet.
Other fans of Launer handbags include Dame Judi Dench and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Launer CEO Gerald Bodmer previously revealed to : "(The Queen) doesn’t feel fully dressed without her handbag.
"But if the Queen doesn’t like what we’ve made her, she won’t wear it. She definitely knows what she wants."
The contents of the Queen’s handbag have been the source of endless speculation over the years.
Thankfully Phil, who is the author of What's In The Queen's Handbag: And Other Royal Secrets, cleared up the mystery.
He said: "She does not normally carry money, a cheque book, credit cards, car keys or a passport.
";But the first item she tends to pull out of the bag at meal times is an S-shaped meat hook."
This is not "to hang up a pheasant shot by Prince Philip" but to secure it to a table's edge.
The bag contains an array of good luck charms, including photos of her family, mints, crosswords from the papers, a fountain pen (she "frowns upon biros"), and a metal make-up case given to her by Prince Philip as a wedding gift.
Phil added: "Add in a mirror, diary and address book, sunglasses, reading glasses, and, like any good Girl Scout a penknife, and it is obvious why no ordinary size bag will do."
He advised that she probably carries around her iPhone in the bag too - which she mainly uses to take photos when in the countryside at Balmoral.
MORE ON THE ROYAL FAMILY
The Queen's favourite handbag brand last year released a new range in millennial colours - however the monarch prefers to stick to black.
We recently told you how the Queen’s beloved first home with Prince Philip is on the market for £5.3m – but it needs A LOT of renovation.
Earlier this year, we told you how Kate has "been making a real effort" with Meghan Markle and is keen to show there's "no bad feelings" after "feud" rumours, a royal source claims.