The public rarely saw Queen Elizabeth II without her Launer handbag. According to Gerald Bodmer, Launer's CEO, Her Majesty bought 10 - 11 of them during her lifetime in the Traviata style from Sully & Sully. The purse's manufacturer was founded by Sam Launer in 1940 and received its royal warrant in 1968.
Each bag is handmade and takes about eight hours to finish. The structured bag of fine-grain calf leather with superb craftsmanship and a signature gold-plated twisted rope emblem lock sells for $2,700.
The Launer's other winning features include a back pocket, center division, interior pocket, inner zip, swede lining, leather-covered mirror, matching gold-plated handle hardware, and a long shoulder strap ... extras customers love!
Queen Elizabeth II was a born Savvy Shopper with impeccable taste and class. She had no need for overpriced status handbags despite having the money to buy whatever she desired. One never saw her wearing a Cartier love bracelet or carrying a purse with a blown-up brand name across it like a YouTube influencer. What she bought was quality, durability, expertise... handbags that she kept for over 70 years, never tossing them out according to Launer's Mr. Bodner. She had no need to buy ever-changing, status merchandise, nor to show off because she was the Queen. Let it be a lesson for us all: When you've got it, there's no need to flaunt it as the fact is so self-evident everybody knows it.
With the Queen's recent passing, there's such a demand for Launer handbags, they are on backorder until January 2023. If I were to ever spend such a tidy sum on a bag, this could well be it ... in black! [Another contender is here.]
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These bags are really lovely Debbie. I like the multi-colour ones, and also the teal blue. I love that the Queen bought so few, as they seem to last forever. I can see how the longer handle would have been useful to her, never interfering with her sleeves. It makes me feel like buying a new bag!
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