01of 09Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty; Tim Graham Photo Library/GettyTime may pass and heroutfits might change color, but one thing remains the same:Queen ElizabethII’s dedication to her iconic handbags.Over the last five decades, the Queen has worn six different styles from the British luxury brand Launer, but it’s theTraviatathat has become her go-to style. Handmade in fine calf leather with a soft goat suede lining, the classic style, retailing for $2,376, is so closely associated with the Queen, it’s become a bestseller for the brand and a constant in her closet. Olivia Colman even carried one when she played the Queen onThe Crown!Here, a look back at Her Majesty’s journeys with her trusty handbags through the years.
01of 09
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty; Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
Time may pass and heroutfits might change color, but one thing remains the same:Queen ElizabethII’s dedication to her iconic handbags.
Over the last five decades, the Queen has worn six different styles from the British luxury brand Launer, but it’s theTraviatathat has become her go-to style. Handmade in fine calf leather with a soft goat suede lining, the classic style, retailing for $2,376, is so closely associated with the Queen, it’s become a bestseller for the brand and a constant in her closet. Olivia Colman even carried one when she played the Queen onThe Crown!
Here, a look back at Her Majesty’s journeys with her trusty handbags through the years.
02of 091950sFox Photos/Hulton Archive/GettyEven in the early 1950s, as she ascended the throne, Elizabeth toted larger bags with handles wrapped gracefully (and functionally) around her forearm.“She can get her hand under the handle and open the bag,” Launer CEO Gerald Bodmeronce told PEOPLEofQueen Elizabeth’s preferred style.
02of 09
1950s
Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty
Even in the early 1950s, as she ascended the throne, Elizabeth toted larger bags with handles wrapped gracefully (and functionally) around her forearm.
“She can get her hand under the handle and open the bag,” Launer CEO Gerald Bodmeronce told PEOPLEofQueen Elizabeth’s preferred style.
03of 091960sQueen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/GettyIt hasn’t always been the over-the-arm bag, however: at the 1969 investiture ofPrince Charles,Queen ElizabethII opted for a clutch to accompany her coat dress (a rare sight!).
03of 09
1960s
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty
It hasn’t always been the over-the-arm bag, however: at the 1969 investiture ofPrince Charles,Queen ElizabethII opted for a clutch to accompany her coat dress (a rare sight!).
04of 091970sTim Graham Photo Library via GettyThe ’70s are when she really devoted herself to Launer full-time.Styles she has worn over the years include the Sofia, the Bellini and the Lisa in cream that was made specifically for thewedding of Prince William and Kate Middletonin 2011. It proved so popular it causedthe brand’s website to crash.
04of 09
1970s
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
The ’70s are when she really devoted herself to Launer full-time.
Styles she has worn over the years include the Sofia, the Bellini and the Lisa in cream that was made specifically for thewedding of Prince William and Kate Middletonin 2011. It proved so popular it causedthe brand’s website to crash.
05of 091980sSerge Lemoine/Getty ImagesHere, the queen goes through her purse while in Marrakesh, Morocco. According to a 2021 PEOPLE piece, she actually travels quite light,often totingjust a pen, handkerchief, glasses case, lipstick, hand cream and mints.
05of 09
1980s
Serge Lemoine/Getty Images
Here, the queen goes through her purse while in Marrakesh, Morocco. According to a 2021 PEOPLE piece, she actually travels quite light,often totingjust a pen, handkerchief, glasses case, lipstick, hand cream and mints.
06of 091990sColin Davey/GettyShe frequently jumps between black patent leather and white bags, seemingly to complement herever-bright rainbow ensemblesand match her sensible shoes.
06of 09
1990s
Colin Davey/Getty
She frequently jumps between black patent leather and white bags, seemingly to complement herever-bright rainbow ensemblesand match her sensible shoes.
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2000s
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth.Chris Young/AP/Shutterstock
08of 09
2010s
“We do various changes; pockets and handles and things for her,” Launer CEO Bodmer told PEOPLE of the Queen’s bespoke purchases. “She has a slightly longer handle on all of them so she can get her hands through it more easily. That way and she has a bigger pocket at the back too, but it varies. We do always put a coin purse inside for her and there’s a leather-covered mirror in all of our bags.”
09of 092020sQueen Elizabeth.Tim Rooke/ShutterstockBodmer told PEOPLE that more recently, the queen has chosen to wear theTurandot, a slightly smaller style, which includes an internal gold frame.“I think she wants something a little lighter. When you get older, I think you want a lighter bag, but I do still see her with the Traviata,” Bodmer said.
09of 09
2020s
Queen Elizabeth.Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
Bodmer told PEOPLE that more recently, the queen has chosen to wear theTurandot, a slightly smaller style, which includes an internal gold frame.
“I think she wants something a little lighter. When you get older, I think you want a lighter bag, but I do still see her with the Traviata,” Bodmer said.
source: people.com
