This is what the Queen actually carries in her handbag

The royal joked with Paddington that she carries a marmalade sandwich in her handbag

One of the Queen's 'first successes' was her unique sense of style, seen here smiling during a visit to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute
(Image credit: Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Queen made us all laugh over the weekend, thanks to her great acting skills and tea with a very famous bear. But apart from a marmalade sandwich, what else does the Queen keep in her handbag? 


We all watched in awe as the Queen gave an Oscar-worthy performance on Saturday night, with another British icon Paddington. The funny sketch showed her Majesty enjoying tea, along with Paddington Bear's favorite - marmalade sandwiches.

The Queen's Paddington performance also joked that the royal kept her own marmalade sandwich in her bag, which fans loved. But, what does she really keep in her handbag, and is it just the same things we all carry?

Queen handbag

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

What does the Queen actually carry in her handbag?

Well known for taking a handbag with her everywhere she goes - the royal is a big fan of Launer London handbags - in an array of different colours. 

The company have been supplying Her Majesty with their stunning handbags and small leather goods since 1968 - and whether the Queen is at The Chelsea Flower show or hanging out with fashion editors she always matches them with her different outfits.

But, according to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith she likes to carry very useful items in her bag, just like us - including a mirror, her reading glasses, mints and of course lipstick. How practical.

When Prince Philip passed away the Queen also carried these sentimental items in her handbag

Queen bag

(Image credit: Getty)

The first item she chose to accompany her to the service was a photograph of her with Prince Philip in the early days of their marriage. The black-and-white snap is believed to be taken in Malta, where the couple was stationed between 1949 and 1951 during the duke's military service in the Royal Navy. 

Her Majesty also took a treasured handkerchief belonging to Prince Philip to the funeral. Designed by the legendary tailors Kent and Haste, the white silk square was always worn by the duke during royal engagements. 

Despite the bright and bold handbag trends for 2022, the Queen won't be changing her look anytime soon and steering away from her Launer London handbags, says CEO, Gerald Bodmer, as he told Harpers Bazaar earlier this year, “Her Majesty likes a classical bag - you’re not going to be a rock chick if you’re the Queen.”

Sarah Finley

Sarah is a freelance journalist - writing about the royals and celebrities for Woman & Home, fitness and beauty for the Evening Standard and how the world of work has changed due to the pandemic for the BBC. 

 

She also covers a variety of other subjects and loves interviewing leaders and innovators in the beauty, travel and wellness worlds for numerous UK and overseas publications. 

 

As a journalist, she has written thousands of profile pieces - interviewing CEOs, real-life case studies and celebrities - interviewing everyone from Emma Bunton to the founder of Headspace.