Team Windsor Royals

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands Attend Football Clinic in Rome June 22, 2017

The King and Queen of the Netherlands and the Princess of Orange Attend Return Reception Hosted by the King and Queen of Spain (18 April 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands)

No one ever forgot the superb sight of the stately Queen, a magnificent crown on her tousseled greying head, wearing décolletage that evidenced a full womanly breast, loaded with priceless jewels, and seated column-straight, hands poised eloquently on her cloth-of-gold or silver or creamy ivory or pale pastel lap. The Queen’s Court gowns had no modern connection whatsoever. Elaborate in cut, beaded, gold-and-silver-embroidered, “gusseted, gored, looped, draped, cap-sleeved,” they were uniquely anachronistic; part Empire, part Edwardian. No Royal Jewel collection in the world remained that could compare to hers. At Courts, she liked to wear alternating sets of gems–diamonds and emeralds, or pearls, or sapphires. At state dinners, she often wore an outer rope of a hundred and fifty emormous pearls that fell to her waist, three inner strands, a nine-strand dog collar, pearl-and-diamond earrings, a diamond-and-pearl tiara, and all her brilliant orders.

Matriarch, Anne Edwards, pp. 351-352.

“I just found out that King Charles oldest nephew Peter Phillips and his current girlfriend Lindsey Wallace just broke-up. I want to what happened.” - Submitted by Anonymous

I didn't know that. I wish them well.

Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! 🎂

Thank you for all the kind wishes today.

📸 The Princess of Wales (X)

Aww, so much to love with this!!

Princess Diana in London. 1987

Evening dress

circa 1927, France

Favorite Royal Events (♔)

→ Diamond Jubilee Tour- Singapore Botanical Gardens

'It's a Royal Knockout' put his reputation on the canvas, writes INGRID SEWARD. Yet what a turnaround we see today - as newly popular Prince Edward rises through the ranks...

By INGRID SEWARD PUBLISHED: 06:55, 22 April 2024 | UPDATED: 13:34, 22 April 2024

It is now more than three decades since Prince Edward dramatically quit the Royal Marine training programme. Back in 1987, it had been hoped the Queen’s youngest son might be something of a royal advertisement for our armed forces. When it emerged that Edward’s father, Prince Philip, was Captain General of the Marines, the embarrassment intensified. Edward’s reputation fared little better with his next move that same year. 

The Duke of Edinburgh meets young people at a south east London youth centre

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, wears the Order of the Thistle for the first time at the service of dedication for a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, RFA Stirling Castle, in Leith

Prince Edward and Sophie hug after her emotional speech  praising him on his 60th birthday when she said 'I am so proud of the man he is. He is the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still is my best friend

Attempting to embark on a theatrical career the Prince created the disastrous TV special which became known as ‘It’s a Royal Knockout’, featuring members of the Royal Family in silly games compered by Stuart Hall. Remembered even now as a national humiliation, the episode remains a sore point for Edward. The following years, including a stint with Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful group, brought little comfort and when he formed his own company Ardent, he was accused of only producing royal related films.

Yet what a turnaround we see today.

According to a recent YouGov poll, Edward - now a key figure in the Monarchy - has seen the greatest rise in popularity over time of any member of the Royal Family.

The Prince has been just been appointed Colonel of the Scots Guards, succeeding the 88-year-old Duke of Kent - an honour bestowed upon him by his elder brother, the King. It is one of several. Last year, on Edward’s 59th birthday, Charles made him the Duke of Edinburgh, the title their father had held. This year, Edward was awarded the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest royal honour. It is all a fitting reward not just for plain hard work, but thorough-going decency.

Edward, who has just celebrated his 60th birthday, has seldom enjoyed much positive media attention. When he married Sophie Rhys -Jones in 1999, he was accused of making money from the TV coverage of the wedding. Two years later when Prince William started at the university of St Andrews, Edwards TV company Ardent filmed the student Prince while other media had agreed to back off. Being very much a private person, Edward was humiliated by the ticking off he received. His calm exterior masking a less confident individual than he cares to portray. Marriage and fatherhood have matured him - he credits much of this to his wife Sophie - but he still lacks the spontaneous warmth deployed so successfully in public by his elder brother the King. He can certainly come across as rather thoughtless, much like his siblings, but that is not entirely his own fault. The royal offspring of his generation were raised to have everything done for them from the complicated to the mundane.

No wonder Edward likes order and expects things to be done properly. He is said to find the whole business of being royal very constraining at times but has learnt to live alongside it, unworried that everything is done for him. He can sometimes be arrogant but he is never openly condescending towards people. He is kind and has a self-deprecating sense of humour. He writes his speeches himself and delivers them with humour. If his words seem to be falling flat, he simply presses on, protected by the mantle of royalty and secure in the knowledge that sooner or later he is certain to raise a laugh. Within the immediate family he is closest to his sister the Princess Royal. They have certain similarities: the more they feel appreciated the more responsive they are. Major General Sir Michael Hobbs a former Director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award once summed Edward up perfectly. ‘He’s all the things he doesn’t appear to be in his public image. He’s not a prig and he’s not in the least pompous.

Prince Edward  was accused of making money from the TV coverage of his wedding to Sophie

Prince Edward was ticked off when  TV company Ardent filmed the student Prince William - his nephew - while other media had agreed to back off

Prince Edward is closest to elder sister, Princess Anne, says Ingrid Seward

‘He shows strong traits of his late father but is a product of his own generation. There is a degree of softness there which makes him a thoroughly decent chap.’

It has been a long, long wait, but it looks as though the public is now starting to agree.

"It is all a fitting reward not just for plain hard work, but thorough-going decency."

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!

By REBEKAH ABSALOM PUBLISHED: 09:13, 21 April 2024 |  UPDATED: 09:13, 21 April 2024 

It's not just the vivid hues and signature silhouettes that made for an 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. 

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

Timeless design

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. 

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

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.

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.

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 (top) and reviewing the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in 2017 (bottom)

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.

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)

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.'

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

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. 

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

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

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.

Interesting. I didn't know anything about her handbags.

“Everytime there is a royal event, Vogue will cover the other royal women and crop Queen Camilla and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Just face it Anna Wintour, Camilla is the Queen of the United Kingdom and Sophie is the Duchess of Edinburgh and you are just a mean old queen-wannabe of your silly fashion circus. You have no title, no palace, no tiaras and jewelry inherited from queens, no land, and no guards. Maybe you think you dress better than them, but they are higher than you 🤷‍♀️🥱” - Submitted by Anonymous

Not sure what is happening at Vogue at both women look fabulous here.

I should add that if you are 70 something and slim built, you could wear whatever you want. Camilla needs dresses that are fitted in the right way. Most of her outfits are well tailored and have discreet but beautiful details. Charles fusses over clothing and is known to gift beautiful jewellery. So he would care that his wife is dressed as well as she can be. I think her hats compliment her face and hair. In general she is #70sgoals for fashion compared to the shapeless bags most 70 year olds find in the shops.

Sophie's outfits can be hit and miss mostly because some don't suit her. She looks particularly strong in long coats and well tailored dresses. She can also pull off the high drama hat and facinator look.