Queen Elizabeth’s secret handbag signals: the subtle gestures that reveal when the British royal needs to make a quick exit

Oct 26 , 2020

After 94 years in the public eye, Queen Elizabeth has become rather good at coordinating her outfits – and using them to her advantage at events. Photo: EPA-EFE

From her Launer handbags to a vintage brooch gifted by Michelle and Barack Obama, the queen knows how to put her fashion choices to good use – specifically, getting her out of awkward conversations

Queen Elizabeth’s peaceful six-decade reign has not only made her a political rock star, but a fashion icon as well. Still dressing impeccably – coordinating her handbags and heels with her outfits – she appears not to have wavered an inch from her royal fashion rules over the years.

However, her much beloved Launer London handbags serve more of a purpose than you might think. Rarely spotted without one at official events, even at home in Buckingham Palace, she also uses them to sneakily send signals to her staff.

Here are five ways the queen uses her handbags and accessories for another purpose.

Placing her handbag on the dinner table

According to The Telegraph, there are telltale signs when the queen wants to leave or bring an event to a close. If she wants to end dinner in five minutes’ time, all she has to do is pop her bag on the table.

Draping her handbag over her left arm and switching it

The queen has a habit of draping her handbag over her left arm, so when she switches it, it’s a clear sign that she’s bored and wants to move along, according to royal historian Hugo Vickers. This gesture is a discreet directive that she would like the staff to help end the conversation.

As Vickers explained to People magazine: “It would be very worrying if you were talking to the queen and saw the handbag move from one hand to the other.” However, he adds that royal staff always attempt to do the deed in a nice way, and accommodate the person in question by directing him or her to another guest.