Forget the orb and sceptre, it was the late Queen's British handbag which became the true symbol of her regal authority - an instantly recognisable accessory and a signalling device as well!

It’s not just the vivid hues and signature silhouettes that made for a unwavering display of style and poise.

Few of the late Queen Elizabeth’s outfits were complete without one of her timeless Launer handbags.

Elizabeth carried one model or another created by the British brand at almost every royal engagement throughout her 70-year reign.

She is even holding one of the unmistakable bags in the very last photograph that was taken of her at Balmoral, two days before she died aged 96.

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Without fail, Queen Elizabeth’s vibrant and distinctive ensembles were accessorised with a timeless Launer handbag (pictured in 2005)

The Royal Family’s association with Launer dates back to the 1950s when the Queen Mother made her first purchase.

She gave a Launer handbag as a present to her daughter who, in turn, quickly became a loyal customer.

The company, founded in 1940 by Sam Launer, was given a royal warrant in 1968.

Gerald Bodmer, Launer’s CEO, told MailOnline: ‘There is no doubt that the association with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth enabled our handcrafted bags to become a talking point.

‘We are immensely proud of the enduring relationship Queen Elizabeth had with Launer and this helped propel the bags as style icons to a worldwide audience, instantly recognisable.’

Elizabeth owned a number of Launer designs in black, such as Travita (her most-carried style), Sophia, Violetta, Madelaine, Royale, Bellini, Encore and Jubilee.

Relaunched to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the latter was an archive piece from 1972.

Her Majesty also possessed a handful of designs in the brand’s signature bone white hue.

The royal’s handbags were custom-made with longer handles so that they would not snag her clothes or get in the way when shaking hands.

They came with a mirror, matching purse and glasses case.

In contrast to other Launer bags, which incorporate suede linings, the Queen’s were crafted with woven interiors.

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Elizabeth carries a Sophia bag during a walkabout in King’s Lynn in 2016

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The royal’s bags were custom-made with longer handles so that they would not snag her clothes or get in the way when shaking hands

The bags were ordered by the Queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly, each year. It was important to both women that Her Majesty’s trademark bags were made in the UK.

For special occasions, the company would make a smaller version of a bag, such as the Lisa design, which the Queen carried for Prince William and Kate’s wedding in 2011.

That particular look attracted considerable attention, causing the Launer website to crash due to the high volume of eager followers.

Gerald Bodmer, who acquired the company in 1981, previously revealed that the monarch ‘doesn’t feel fully dressed without her handbag’.

Towards the end of Elizabeth’s reign, he made his designs lighter to ensure they remained comfortable for the monarch.

Bodmer told MailOnline that during this time the Queen also preferred a light-coloured lining, perhaps to easily locate her belongings.

A touch of glamour

The CEO of Launer also confirmed that he presented the Faith bag to Queen Elizabeth on her 85th birthday in 2011.

Departing from her usual tote style, this evening style was made from shiny silver leather, featuring a solid silver emblem adorned with zircons.

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Launer presented Elizabeth with the silver ‘Faith’ bag on her 85th birthday and she reached for the style on multiple occasions

The monarch reached for the bag on multiple occasions, including a State Banquet at the Elysee Palace, Paris, in 2014 and the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, in 2016.

The sleek flap style is part of Launer’s upcoming Elizabeth collection, featuring the exact bags that the Late Queen carried, which were previously available to purchase.

Queen of recycling

Renowned for its iconic rope emblem and structured silhouette, Launer bags swiftly became associated with the monarch.

While the classic totes came with hefty price tags, they were worn by Elizabeth for decades on end.

She recycled each bag countless times for engagements and preferred to have the hardware repaired rather than splash out on new models.

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The Queen with the Launer handbag she owned for almost 50 years, seen with then Prime Minister Edward Heath during a visit from President Nixon at Chequers in 1970 (left) and reviewing the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in 2017 (right)

For example, a style that was spotted on her arm for the first time in 1970, during a meeting with President Nixon at Chequers, was seen again in 2017 while reviewing the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Secret signals

According to several royal specialists, Queen Elizabeth’s handbags served as both practical fashion statements and a means of signalling her assistants when she wanted conversations to conclude.

For instance, moving a Launer bag from her usual left arm to her right, while engaged in conversation, indicated her readiness to wrap up the discussion.

Similarly, placing her bag on the table during dinner suggested that the royal would be prepared to leave within five minutes.

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Queen Elizabeth’s handbags served as both practical fashion statements and a means of signalling her assistants when she wanted conversations to conclude (pictured in 2013)

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Moving a Launer bag from her usual left arm to her right, while engaged in conversation, indicated Elizabeth’s readiness to wrap up the discussion

However, the most significant signal was when she placed her bag on the floor. This was interpreted as a sign that the Queen was not enjoying the conversation and wished to be rescued by her lady-in-waiting.

Considering the heightened security measures her stuff must have implemented, using concealed handbag signals was not only courteous but also highly practical.

Contents (not a marmalade sandwich…!)

During BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace, Queen Elizabeth made a special appearance alongside Paddington Bear, where she famously opened her patent Launer handbag to reveal a marmalade sandwich.

Sadly, the monarch wasn’t known to carry snacks on any other occasion.

But, over the years, royal aides have let slip fascinating details about the real contents of her bag.

A guest of the Queen’s cousin once revealed: ‘I watched the Queen open her handbag and remove a white suction cup and discreetly spit into it. The Queen then attached the cup to the underside of the table. The cup had a hook on it, and she attached her bag to it.’

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The monarch was spotted applying lipstick from her handbag during the Braemar Gathering and Highland Games in Scotland in 2011

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Queen Elizabeth puts on lipstick using a mirror from her bag while sitting in the Royal Box at the Windsor Horse Show in 1985

The late Queen was also known to carry essentials such as a crossword, mirror, lipstick, fountain pen, mints and reading glasses.

There are accounts of her seen taking out her spectacles and applying lipstick from her bag.

According to Sally Bedell Smith, author of Elizabeth The Queen, she would also carry a banknote worth £5 or £10 for Sunday church donations.

Phil Dampier, author of What’s In The Queen’s Handbag, has claimed there were often personal items, such as miniature dogs, horses and saddles (good luck charms from her children), and photographs, including one of Prince Andrew on his return from the Falklands in 1982.

Style legacy

In a touching tribute to her mother-in-law, Queen Camilla carried Launer’s Tosca clutch at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

The late royal’s daughter-in-law, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh also opted for a Launer bag.

Camilla has used the clutch several times since, including Kate Middleton’s Christmas carol concert and the first state visit of King Charles’ reign.

The wife of King Charles III visited the Launer factory in Walsall – a traditional centre of leather working – in 2020, where she was greeted by Gerald Bodmer.

He explained the traditional processes involved in crafting a Launer design and introduced the skilled artisans who handmake each leather item.

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Without fail, Her Majesty’s vibrant and distinctive ensembles were accessorised with timeless Launer handbags (pictured in 1995 and 2006)

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Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Launer’s Hackney factory in 1991

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Queen Camilla visited Launer in 2020 and was presented with a black leather Judi bag from the brand’s Legacy Collection

During her visit, Camilla was presented with a black leather Judi bag from the brand’s Legacy Collection.

This collection represents seven of the bestselling designs that were created more than three decades ago yet remain as relevant and popular today.

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