Queen Elizabeth was rarely seen at public gatherings without her handbag. And although it did make a style statement, she also used the bags to send subtle signals to her staff.
If the Queen shifted her bag from one hand to the next, it signaled that she was ready to end her current conversation. As well as this, if those in the know saw that the Queen had placed her bag on a table, they would be aware that the Queen was ready to leave an event in the next five minutes.
It was during his tenure that the Queen commissioned Launer bags via her steadfast personal advisor and senior dresser, Angela Kelly – the Royale and Traviata were her go-tos – and she was gifted Launer by her children (likely King Charles III, according to Bodmer).
According to one of Her Majesty's cousins, Queen Elizabeth carries a portable hook in her handbag. She'll take the hook on visits outside of the palace in case she should need to hang her bag up. The source, Jean Willis, explained that the Queen took care of the whole process - as witnessed in one episode.
And as to putting one's clothes on, contrary to popular belief the Queen actually dressed alone. The monarch also did her own make-up for most events, with the exception of her annual Christmas speech, for which a make-up artist was employed.
Each one of the Queen's handbags is kept in perpetuity. They are stored in cupboards at Buckingham Palace. Sales of Launer London handbags rose by 60 per cent after the Queen carried one at Prince William's wedding. Her Majesty favours Launer's Diva and Traviata styles – £1,015 and £1,125 respectively.
Queen Elizabeth's favorite handbag brand was Launer
The queen was clearly not a fan of black and beige outfits, but she was hands down a devotee to Launer's bespoke black handbags, a fixture in most of her public engagements.
The Queen reportedly owns more than 200 Launer bags and according to Town & Country, her favourite styles are “the black leather Royale, black patent leather Traviata and a third custom handbag”.
When it comes to smelling good, the Queen is said to use Floris London.
What Happens With Queen Elizabeth's Clothes? Queen Elizabeth never wears the same outfit twice at important events. Therefore, the sovereign prefers to either change her outfits and if she gets bored of them, she sends them to her dressers, who are then allowed to either wear them themselves or sell them.
After the death of her husband Prince Albert, the Queen famously wore black for the rest of her life, accessorizing only with black, colorless, or pearl jewelry. She wore strands of pearls, thought to represent tears, for 40 years.
A royal phone
As well as a number of private lines, the monarch's private mobile phone was unique. It may 'just' be a Samsung as many of us non-Royals have, but it was much more special.
Though a certain amount of mystery surrounds what has gone into retaining that royal radiance, there is one product Her Majesty is said to have relied on for decades to keep her skin looking and feeling hydrated: Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream. To call this an iconic product would be an understatement.
Queen Elizabeth II was the epitome of graceful when it came to the ageing process and always appeared to have beautifully cared for, healthy skin. One of her secrets was applying Elizabeth Arden's iconic Eight Hour Cream Balm morning and night. Moisturising was the secret to Elizabeth II's healthy skin.
Floris London is known to be the Queen's go-to perfume brand, with rumours that she opts for the signature White Rose scent. As the only perfume brand to be granted a royal warrant from the Queen, Floris London definitely has the royal seal of approval.
'There is a little 'shop' set up in the drawing room at Windsor Castle and the Queen can pop in and choose gifts at her leisure. 'Late at night, after dinner, usually around 10pm, she'll pop into her little Christmas shop and do some shopping.
Launer London was Her Majesty's handbag maker for more than 50 years and has held the Royal Warrant since 1968. Launer bags are formal and structured, and proved to be the ideal regal accessory for public engagements.
They are part of the Royal Collection, held in trust by the monarch for the nation. Since the 1600s the 'Crown Jewels' have been protected at the Tower of London.
Middleton owns at least 13 eye-catching handbags from Mulberry. One of her most beloved styles from the label is the Amberley satchel, which she owns in two colors: an all-white version that she uses in the spring/summer and a black croc-effect option for the fall/winter months.
Queen Elizabeth reportedly wears Guerlain L'Heure Bleue, a spicy citrus with a powdery dry down. It's been a classic for the fragrance house ever since the scent was created in 1912.
According to Dior, Princess Diana fell in love with the style when the First Lady of France at the time, Madame Bernadette Chirac, gifted her with its “Chouchou” bag in 1995. When she was photographed carrying the style on multiple occasions, the fashion house renamed the bag the “Lady Dior” as a play on Lady Diana.
2006 and 2008. After debuting this mauve coat by Angela Kelly for the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham in 2006, the Queen re-wore it multiple times, including for an engagement in London two years later.
According to royal author Marcia Moody's 2013 book Kate: A Biography, Catherine always carries three four items with her. "In her small clutch she carries a compact mirror, blotting paper, a handkerchief and lip balm," she writes.
What happens to the Queen's jewellery? They stay safeguarded at the Tower of London in safekeeping for the nation, and when one monarch dies, the crown jewels are immediately passed to their heir.” So the Queen's former crown, sceptre and orb now belong to her son, King Charles III.
Queen Elizabeth II – the internet says she wore either White Rose by Floris, or L'Heure Bleue by Guerlain. Maybe she wore both, who says you have to stick with one scent? These seem likely choices; a green/sweet floral and a powdery heliotrope, both with a respectable lineage.