Dear Royalist,
As we sadly mourn Queen Elizabeth II’s passing (8 September 2022), and enumerate her graces, one cannot but be struck by Her Majesty’s iconic personal style as a standout trait.
Queen Elizabeth II certainly knows how to work an accessory and her signature accessory is the handbag. You can comb through archives of her photographs to see that she is hardly ever pictured without one of her signature Launer handbags. Her Majesty reportedly owns more than 200 of them.
Although a handbag is now considered an essential accessory for most modern women, who understand the practicality of carrying daily essentials in one convenient, chic holdall that leaves the hands free, for The Queen, it was all part of her authentic self; Apparently, she “never felt dressed without her handbag.”
Her handbags are all from Launer London, which has held the Royal Warrant since the 1968. Queen Elizabeth II has worn a Launer bag to compliment her outfit for every single engagement and was even pictured with it in her last official photograph, two days before she died, to meet Liz Truss, the new Prime Minister.
Launer was founded in the 1940s, and quickly established itself as one of England’s premier handbag manufacturers, supplying to some of London's leading stores including Harrods. By the 1960s, the Queen had become a regular customer and the company successfully applied for the Royal Warrant.
More than a mere fashion accessory, Queen Elizabeth used her handbag to send secret signals to her staff. Her handbag helped her escape conversations at any time she pleases: By moving her handbag from her left arm to her right arm, her staff would wrap up a particular interview for her, for example. During a meal, putting her bag on the table simply means she wants to end the event in the next five minutes. Politely.
As to what she actually carries in her handbag, some have hazarded guesses that
she carried treats for her much-loved corgis; perhaps a crossword cut from a newspaper in case she has time to kill; a penknife; a diary and small camera. The Queen has been known to use the camera to take pictures of visiting dignitaries and the penknife is reportedly a throwback to her Girl Guide days. What is known is that The Queen doesn’t carry a mobile phone in her bag!
You can learn from The Queen by making a classic, practical and elegant handbag such as ABARA’s Tr’Apeze Bag, as your personal style signifier. Inspired by the city of London, this classic top handle bag with a spacious, modern, silhouette that is a truly majestic must-have fit for a fashion queen.
XXX The ABARA Team
