Here’s why Queen Elizabeth II’s handbag was essential for her, according to royal insiders

Fashion has long been used as a political tool to symbolise power and authority and Queen Elizabeth II made sure to use it for the same. The monarch utilised her go-to accessory – a Launer handbag – as a vessel to gently communicate with her courtiers. She never appeared without her favourite handbag, further demonstrating how much she cherished using it as a subtly helpful accessory throughout her reign.

A secret weapon

The contents of her majesty’s bag have been a topic of discussion for decades, however, it’s not so much what’s inside the bag as how it’s used. It is believed that the Queen's handbag was in fact her secret weapon. She used to communicate with her aides and her ladies-in-waiting with simple bag tricks. The clever handbag system was not only polite but also practical to get what she wanted from her aides.

According to insiders, the Queen would position and place her handbag in such a way that it would signal to everyone around them what she wanted. For instance, if she wanted someone to come and subtly interrupt the conversation she was having, she would simply switch her handbag from one arm to another.

On the other hand, if she altogether wanted to leave a situation, Queen Elizabeth II would simply put her bag all the way down on the floor to signal help, confirms Mirror. And during dinners, if she wanted to get done with the affair, she would simply place the bag purse on the table.

What’s inside the bag?

While mostly she is believed to have carried her own make-up, compact mirror and favourite lipstick in her handbag, there was also an unusual thing in the bag. Her Majesty carried a portable hook to hang the bag on tables or chairs so that she doesn’t have to put it on the floor.

This further confirms that the Queen used her bag as a secret weapon to signal her aides about what she wants, since putting the bag on the floor was also a signal.

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