What Does Kate Middleton Always Carry In Her Handbag?

Members of the Royal Family have been known to use their handbags for secret communications for decades, with Princess Diana using it as a shield to protect herself from photographs that showed her cleavage, while Queen Elizabeth switches the hand she holds hers in when she signals that she wants to end a conversation. However, what these women carry in their bags hasn’t always been revealed—at least, until now,

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge is known for often pairing a coordinated clutch to her outfits, and in the 2013 book, “Kate: A Biography,” author Marcia Moody revealed just what the Duchess keeps in her bag in order to always maintain a stylish look.

“In her small clutch she carries a compact mirror, blotting paper, a handkerchief and lip balm,” she revealed at the time.

Of course, learning what’s in the Duchess’ bag isn’t the only thing fans have noted about her clutches. In addition, like her late mother-in-law and the Queen, she also uses her bag for other purposes besides making flawless outfits.

In 2017, it was revealed to Good Housekeeping that Middleton holds the bag a certain way when she feels shaking hands with someone might present an awkward situation.

“When the Duchess is at an event, she holds her bag in front of her in both hands when shaking hands might be awkward,” it was reported at the time. “By holding something like her clutch bag, it is perhaps giving her an ‘excuse’ to not extend her hand to everyone. She can’t shake the hands of everyone she meets—the Duchess would be there all day!”

Though Middleton doesn’t appear to have used the move, another popular move had emerged amongst Hollywood stars who don’t want to reveal a pregnancy either over the years, as they have been known to often use a clutch that is deliberately placed in front of their stomach or a large bag to cover their baby bump until they are ready to reveal it to the world.