When you’re the Queen, your access to beautiful clothing and designer handbags is just a stone’s throw away.
However, with all the options in the world, the 92-year-old monarch has had one black patent handbag that’s been making appearances since the seventies.
The bag in question is by British heritage brand Launer, and although Queen Liz’s exact model is no longer in circulation, she’s worn Launer’s many other designs since.
According to the Daily Mail, Queen Elizabeth II was initially given a Launer bag by the brand’s founder, Sam Launer, in 1968, and reportedly has over 200 of their bags in her collection. Launer was also issued a Royal Warrant in 1968, which means it has the royal family’s personal tick of approval.
Whether done in an effort to save some pennies in her wardrobe budget (highly unlikely), it’s clear she has her favourite design. HRH has been re-wearing her signature black tote since 1970 when she was seen carrying the bag during a meeting with then US President Richard Nixon and his wife, Pat.
Top Comments
I wonder what she carries with her in that purse. My bet is a hankerchilef and breath mints.
Anna Grass, I cannot tell you what the Queen carries in her handbag but I can tell you what her late sister, Princess Margaret carried in hers on the day that I met her. Its a long story but due to the spot that my now ex-husband and I were standing, we were the last people that she was introduced to. She then stood beside us and began chatting. First of all she opened her purse to retrieve a cigarette. I managed to get a good look inside the bag - which looked almost the same as what the Queen is still currently using. Prior to this event I had read an article about what the royal sisters carry in their purses, so I carefully took note of what I saw. There was a small cigarette case that probably held 10 at the most. There was a tube of lipstick, a small mirror and a neatly folded handkerchief. That was it - absolutely nothing else. She didn't even have a lighter. My hubby whipped out his Zippo lighter and lit her cigarette. I muttered to him to get an ashtray. The only one present was a floor ashtray with a concrete base which my hubby managed to drag over to where the Princess was standing. This event happened very early in the 1970's when smoking attitudes were beginning to change in North America. I found it interesting that she neither asked if we minded if she smoked nor did she offer us a cigarette. But of course, I am supposed to tell you about the contents of the bag. As there were so few I added my commentary. And...., there were no breath mints.