It has now been two years since the passing of The Queen, and many of you will remember one particularly poignant moment. In her final official photograph, taken during her meeting with Prime Minister Liz Truss, a familiar accessory quietly spoke to her enduring grace.
Tucked gently in the crook of her arm is the unmistakable black, structured silhouette of her favourite Launer handbag. Much has been written about Elizabeth II and her devotion to the accessory, which has become something of an iconic presence in Elizabeth II’s wardrobe. "It's so heart-rending that she carried my bag on the last day of her life.” Launer’s CEO Gerald Bodmer told H! Fashion at the time.
The bag, with its signature gold laurel wreath clasp, had long been a symbol of her classic style, a subtle yet significant part of her public image for decades. Even in her final image, the Queen’s timeless elegance shines through, a reminder of her consistent poise and dignity.
Like the Launer, her majesty was the epitome of sensible style, never flashy but always refined, embodying a quiet sophistication that spoke volumes without ever being ostentatious. With its sleek, understated design, the Launer was as dependable as the Queen herself, always by her side, ready for whatever the occasion demanded. Both represented timeless British craftsmanship, built to last, practical yet stylish. Their enduring presence in the public eye spoke to a shared resilience and sense of duty, delivering both with grace and dignity, never calling attention to themselves but always leaving an impression of quiet confidence and unwavering reliability.
The Queen and her handbag were a perfect reflection of each other - both unfussy, reliable, and deeply British. The company was founded in 1940 by Sam Launer and taken over in 1981 by Bodmer, a former classical musician turned accessories empressario. At that time the Queen had already granted the company a royal warrant back in 1968. "When I bought the company it was in dire straits and I went to rescue it and slowly built up a connection again with the Queen which had somehow had been lost." Before that time people had bought Launer bags as gifts for Elizabeth II, but that didn’t mean that's what she always liked. Bodmer set about to create new styles he knew her majesty would be a fan of.
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"After a time I managed to invite her to the factory in Hackney and she came and spent the whole afternoon there," Bodmer tells me over the phone in the days just after her passing, "She was just wonderful and very interested. Most ladies are interested in their bags, but she actually was very interested in how we made them. And also, of course, she was very patriotic and liked to deal with British suppliers."
The Queen, as noted by Bodmer, was keenly aware of the challenges facing the British manufacturing industry due to the growing influx of foreign imports. She recognised the significance of staying loyal to British brands, not only as a means of supporting domestic craftsmanship but also as a reflection of her deep commitment to preserving heritage. This loyalty extended beyond mere preference—it was an active choice to uplift and champion homegrown businesses. As Bodmer aptly put it, "It's in her nature to promote British business."
Bodmer’s first encounter with the Queen left a lasting impression, particularly her warmth and down-to-earth demeanour. "She had a good sense of humour and was just like the lady next door, no edge on her at all," Bodmer recalls. The Queen, unassuming despite her stature, took the time to engage with the Launer atelier workers, conversing with them and even sharing a brew during her visit. "She spoke to all my employees and had tea with us. She was terrific," he explained. That factory visit marked the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Launer, as the Queen’s preference for the brand grew into a lasting symbol of her style.
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As the years passed, Launer adapted to meet the Queen's evolving needs. According to Bodmer, they made adjustments to the design of her bags to accommodate her as she aged. "We made bags that she could carry as she grew older, and we took the weight out of them for her," he explained, highlighting the brand’s devotion to ensuring the Queen’s comfort while maintaining the elegance she was known for.
Though legend suggests that the Queen owned hundreds of Launer handbags, Bodmer dispelled this myth, offering a more modest estimate. "Probably about 15 or 16," he revealed, underscoring the practicality behind the Queen’s well-known sense of style. Her relationship with her bags was more than just a fashion statement; it was a matter of personal identity. As she told Bodmer on multiple occasions, "'I don't feel fully dressed without a bag.'"
This enduring connection to Launer handbags reflects not only the Queen’s personal taste but also her consistent support for British craftsmanship, a loyalty rooted in her deep sense of responsibility to her country.