Queen sends staff secret signals with her handbag - and twist of wedding ring is bad news
The Queen is rarely seen without a handbag and there has been much fascination over the years about what she carries in it.
Insiders have claimed lipstick, a mirror, sweeteners for her tea, mints and a fountain pen are some of the essentials she fits the timeless accessory.
She's known to keep her favourite bags for decades and her go-to make is Launer London handbags - and these beautiful bags serve a bigger purpose than you might think.
The Queen uses the accessory to secretly let staff she is not happy without having to say a word.
According to The Telegraph, if Her Majesty wants to end dinner in five minutes' time, all she has to do is pop her bag on the table.
She also tends to drape her handbag over her left arm, so if she switches it, it's a clear sign she wants to move along, according to royal historian Hugo Vicker.
Love the royals? Sign up for the Mirror's daily newsletter to get all the latest news on the Queen, Charles, Kate, Wills, Meghan, Harry and the rest of The Firm.Click here to sign up .
This discrete cue will encourage staff to end the conversation.
He told People : "It would be very worrying if you were talking to the Queen and saw the handbag move from one hand to the other."
However, she will be so subtle about it that you may not even realise it's happened.
Staff will then usher them away or will tell them that the Queen is needed for something else.
Mr Vicker said: "It would be done very nicely. Someone would come along and say, ‘Sir, the Archbishop of Canterbury would very much like to meet you.'"
But if she ever puts her bag down on the floor, be worried, as this means she needs to be saved from an encounter as soon as possible.
If for some reason she doesn't have her handbag with her or is unable to communicate using it, she'll send messages using her jewellery.
A discreet twist of her wedding ring means she would like to end a conversation quickly, but a more dramatic spin means she wishes to make a quick getaway.
Have you got a story to share? We want to hear all about it. Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
Read More
Read More
