Given that Cecil’s column on the question of what does the Queen keep in her handbag is currently appearing as a Classic on the front page, I may as well relate my once-upon-a-time failed attempt to use a personal connection to get an answer to this.
Some years ago, I happened to learn that someone I know is the younger brother of Gerald Bodmer, the handbag maker to Her Majesty. (The most famous of the brothers is however Walter, the cancer researcher.) As you do if you discover you know the Queen’s handbag maker’s brother, I duly asked whether the family is privy to the much-speculated-about contents.
Further to Cecil’s column, I’m positive the Queen sometimes carries cash in her handbag when she goes to the racetrack. This is not for normal betting purposes (i.e. with the book or the tote) but for occasional private sweepstakes conducted with other members of the Royal Family.
This information was once revealed on a TV programme about the Queen in a scene where she made her annual pilgrimage to Royal Ascot along with Prince Philip and other Royals. On the occasion featured she was filmed winning a sweepstake on a particular race and appeared delighted to do so.
I can’t give the name of the programme concerned but I’m so sure about this I’d bet money on it.
This seems an appropriate juncture to say that my current office overlooks Her Maj’s back garden, and last week I saw the corgis running around, about 10 of them, accompanied by a woman in a headscarf (it’s not close enough to make out if it was her or not, and we’ve been advised if we turn up at the windows with a camera or binoculars [or gun] we’ll get shot).
Perhaps HM follows the custom of the late Queen Louise of Sweden, aunt of the Duke of Edinburgh. She used to carry a piece of cardboard around in her handbag on which was written “I AM THE QUEEN OF SWEDEN”.
Supposedly it was when she walked around London, which she did without any escorts. She wanted people to be able to know who she was if she were knocked down by a bus.
Surely if she found some strangers going through her bag she’d give them a slap ,not show them a piece of cardboard saying “I am the Queen”(our Queen is THE Queen like THE President without “of etc.” is always the P.O.T.U.S)
