How Queen Elizabeth II Sends ‘Secret’ Messages To Her Staff

Queen Elizabeth II sends secret messages to her staff by moving her purse from one hand to another.

Hugo Vickers, a royal historian, told People that if the Queen’s handbag is placed on her left arm, she doesn’t want to be interrupted from her ongoing conversation. But if she transfers her bag to her right arm, it means she wants a member of her staff to find a way to end her ongoing discussion.

“It would be worrying if you were talking to the Queen and saw the handbag move from one hand to the other. It would be done very nicely. Someone would come along and say, ‘Sir, the Archbishop of Canterbury would very much like to meet you,’” he said.

The Queen is also known for holding her handbag, but when she eats, she places the bag on the hook under the table. But when she transfers the bag from the hook to the table, it means she wants to wrap the meal up within the next five minutes.

According to The Telegraph, if the Queen puts her bag on the floor and not on the table, it means that she’s not enjoying the conversation. This is her way of signaling her staff to help rescue her.

Vickers also told Express that if the monarch is not wearing her gloves, royal fans should focus their attention on her ring. If they see her playing with it, this doesn’t mean that the Queen is just fidgety. Rather, it’s her way of asking her staff to once again help her end the conversation.

According to People, there is a secret buzzer inside the Buckingham Palace that the Queen has access to. When she presses the buzzer, this means that her staff should open the door and let her guests out.