Bags of style: it’s Queen Camilla’s outstanding (and valuable) collection of accessories that makes the difference, says fashion expert ELIZA SCARBOROUGH
- It’s flown under the radar but Camilla has an extensive handbag collection
- Her totes and clutches tread a fine line between classic and fashion-forward
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The Queen Consort has become progressively more stylish, but it’s her accessories that really make a statement and, in particular, her handbag collection.
Camilla has a genuinely impressive wardrobe of exquisite totes, clutches and shoulder bags.
From sleek Launer leather clutches in muted tones, to a statement The Rodnik Band bag (embellished to something that is more like artwork) and a lizard Moynat top handle bag, it’s the bags that elevate her look.
Working closely with her dresser Jacqui Meakin, who also dressed the Queen Mother, Camilla treads a fine line between classicand fashion forward styles, favouring timeless bags from brands such as Chanel, Fendi and Bottega Veneta.
We have seen a number of creations by Aspinal of London, a British brand which is also seen on the arms other royal family members. Queen Elizabeth’s bag brand of choice Launer, has become another favourite for Camilla.
Whether it’s a royal wedding, black tie gala or international tour of the Commonwealth, Queen Camilla tends to steer clear of bright colours, choosing neutrals, pastels, and navy, with the occasional pop of bright blue.
Always looking radiant in bespoke designs by Anna Valentine, Bruce Oldfield and Fiona Clare topped with millinery by Philip Treacy, shoes by Chanel and Sole Bliss, and her Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra blue agate bracelet, her style evolution has grown with her role.
Bottega Veneta
Camilla stepped out with her chic bag by cult designer Bottega Veneta at the Sandringham Flower Show
The £2200 woven leather Intrecciato small shoulder bag was in a classic neural tone
Camilla stepped out looking radiant in a £290 Cefinn floral dress at the Sandringham Flower Show, but it was her chic bag by cult designer Bottega Veneta that made an impact.
The £2200 woven leather Intrecciato small shoulder bag was in a classic neural tone and was subtly elevated with her Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra bracelet.
Chanel
Camilla stunned with her £3605 vintage Chanel crossbody bag as she and King Charles celebrated their first Easter Sunday as Queen and King in April
Camilla and King Charles celebrated their first Easter Sunday as Queen and King on the same day and in the same church where they got married 18 years ago, St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in April 2023.
Wearing an Anna Valentine navy blue coat dress complete with light blue embroidery on the bodice, it was her £3605 vintage Chanel crossbody bag which was worn without the shoulder strap that gave the ensemble fashion kudos.
Launer
Camilla was a vibrant sight at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in March 2023 with her £1400 High Society cutch from Launer
Other accessories included Queen Elizabeth II’s Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch
Camilla was a vibrant sight at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in March 2023, wearing a cobalt Fiona Clare coat, which she teamed with a matching Philip Treacy fascinator.
It was accessorised with Queen Elizabeth II’s Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch, and the £1400 High Society cutch from Launer.
Aspinal of London
In December 2022 when visiting Wrexham football club, an Aspinal of London crocodile print bag was the perfect accessory for Camilla
The £595 Midi Mayfair bag was the perfect accompaniment to her camel wool coat
In December 2022 when visiting Wrexham football club, an Aspinal of London crocodile print bag adds a touch of glamour to Camilla’s camel wool coat.
The £595 Midi Mayfair bag has also been spotted on the arm of Kate Middleton, and here it shows the Queen Consort’s impressive sense of style.
Fendi
For Ascot’s Racing Weekend in November 2022, Camilla chose Fendi’s £4300 Peekaboo ISeeU small bag
The Queen Consort opted for some extravagant headwear as she attended Ascot’s Racing Weekend in November 2022 wrapped up in a bold green wool coat by Mr Roy and statement fur trimmed hat by Lock & Co.
She paired the green set with Fendi’s £4300 Peekaboo ISeeU small bag which was finished with oversized hand stitching.
Bulgari
In February 2022 Camilla attended The Prince’s Foundation training site for arts and culture in Trinity Buoy Wharf
For her outing, the Queen opted for a £2500 Bulgari Serpenti Forever leather top-handle bag in forest green
In February 2022 Camilla attended The Prince’s Foundation in Trinity Buoy Wharf, carrying a £2500 Bulgari Serpenti Forever leather top-handle bag in forest green.
Worn with a deep green matching double-breasted jacket and riding skirt, which she paired with a cream silk shirt, all from designer Anna Valentine, the Queen Consort was a vision in shades of green.
Smythson
Camilla looked radiant in pastels for Ascot in June 2021, topping off her outfit with a matching mask and a £495 Smythson dove grey flap clutch
It was a palette of muted pastel tones for Ascot in June 2021 as Camilla carried a £495 Smythson dove grey flap clutch which perfectly coordinated with the stripes on her Bruce Oldfield coat.
Chanel pumps, a bespoke Bruce Oldfield matching face mask and a Philip Treacy hat completed the radiant look.
Chanel
Queen Camilla gracefully clasped her £3350 Chanel top handle flap bag in classic black caviar leather at the Field of Remembrance in November 2020
The chic bag which boasted the French fashion house’s iconic insignia in gold, a curved handle and quilted finish
Queen Camilla gracefully clasped her £3350 Chanel top handle flap bag in classic black caviar leather at the Field of Remembrance in November 2020.
The chic bag which boasted the French fashion house’s iconic insignia in gold, a curved handle and quilted finish, was the perfect addition to her military style dark green coat and Philip Treacy hat.
Heidi Klein
Camilla carried her favourite summer straw bag from Heidi Klein on an outing to the National Gallery in July 2020
The classic straw bag matched other tan elements in the outfit
Looking elegant at the National Gallery in July 2020, Camilla carried her favourite summer straw bag from Heidi Klein. This was the first time the gallery had been open after a long Covid closure.
The then Duchess of Cornwall’s £280 raffia tote bag tied in with the neutral tones in her Liberty print face mask which was made by couture designer Fiona Clare, and her tan Sole Bliss pumps.
DeMellier London
During a visit to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Stanford Hall in Loughborough, Camilla opted for the forest green £340 Mini Venice bag from DeMellier
During a joint engagement in Loughborough with William and Kate, Camilla carried a DeMellier London forest green bag.
The £340 Mini Venice, which boasts a top handle as well as cross body strap, has also been spotted on the Duchess of Sussex’s arm too. The Queen Consort paired it with a matching green coat with tartan collar.
Moynat
At the Commonwealth Service in March 2019, Camilla carried a black top handle from Moynat
The £3430 Gabrielle clutch complemented her purple velvet Anna Valentine coat
At the Commonwealth Service in March 2019, Camilla carried a black top handle bag from luxurious French fashion house Moynat, a classic trunk-maker that dates back to 1849.
The £3430 Gabrielle clutch complemented her purple velvet Anna Valentine coat and Philip Treacy hat.
Moynat
Attending a reception for London taxi drivers in February 2019 at Buckingham Palace, Camilla carried a Moynat Gabrielle BB in an brown textured lizard skin
The £5620 piece was the perfect piece to compliment her black skirt and jacket
Attending a reception for London taxi drivers in February 2019 at Buckingham Palace, Camilla’s Moynat Gabrielle BB in an exquisite brown textured lizard skin stood out against her black skirt and jacket.
The £5620 piece is not available to buy online in this finish and is the most exclusive bag in her accessories collection.
Carnaby London
When attending the Countryside Fund racing weekend at Ascot in November 2018, the Queen chose a Carnaby London tote bag in tan leather
She paired the bag with a checked heritage-style coat and fur trimmed hat
When attending the Countryside Fund racing weekend at Ascot in November 2018, Camilla paired a checked heritage-style coat and fur trimmed hat with a Carnaby London tote bag in tan leather.
The £395 buckled strap bag with a statement gold crown motif beneath the clasp, was designed by an ex British Army soldier.
Launer
It was the £1400 High Society bag by Launer for the Queen Consort at a RAF centenary event at Westminster Abbey in July 2018
Launer also happened to be the late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite bag designer
It was ladylike tones of cream for the Queen Consort at a RAF centenary event at Westminster Abbey in July 2018.
Accessorising her cocktail-style cream dress with a matching cream hat, she chose the £1400 High Society bag by the late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite bag designer Launer, to complete the outfit.
Fendi
Camilla dressed for Wimbledon in a summery cream and white polka dot dress
Camilla and Richard Branson at Wimbledon in 2018
Sitting front row at Wimbledon in July 2018 Camilla dressed for the occasion in a summery cream and white polka dot dress designed by British couturier Fiona Clare.
The star of the look, however, was her £3900 Fendi Peekaboo Mini bag in dove grey, featuring a python handle and oversized stitching.
Aspinal of London
Camilla attends the 2018 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey,
Wearing a Fiona Clare bespoke coat with cream embroidery to Commonwealth Day celebrations at Westminster Abbey in March 2018, Camilla paired her ensemble with a black Aspinal of London Letterbox bag.
The sturdy saddle bag comes in at £450 and she has been snapped carrying it many times in different colour ways.
Aspinal of London
Camilla at Cheltenham Festival Ladies Day in 2017
Camilla greets Princess Anne, The Princess Royal with a kiss at Cheltenham
Aspinal of London is a brand loved not just by Camilla, but also the Princess of Wales and Zara Tindall.
The Queen Consort wore the brands £450 navy Letterbox bag to Ladies Day at Cheltenham Festival in 2017 with a herringbone green coat and emerald felt hat.
The Rodnik Band
The glitzy £795 number made in 2015 was created by British label The Rodnik Band
Camilla carried a new wardrobe addition to the event – a bag with an unusual label
Dressed in a blue dress, white blazer and pearls for a charity event in London in June 2015, Camilla made a style statement with a unique sequinned clutch shaped like a can of baked beans.
The £795 glitzy number was created by British label The Rodnik Band and is a quirky take on the humble store cupboard essential.
Vintage
Camilla inspects an honour guard at the headquarters of the French Republican Guard in 2013 on her first solo trip to Paris
During her first solo foreign tour to Paris in May 2013, Camilla used her accessories to dress for the fashion capital, choosing a vintage raffia clutch bag with the word Paris printed on it in curling script, followed by a heart.
Paired with an Anna Valentine wool and crepe pistachio coat and dress, and Sole Bliss pumps, she was the picture of Parisian chic style.
Tanner Krolle
Her £2200 shoulder bag worn in Tetbury back in March 2008 was designed by Tanner Krolle
Opening the Highgrove shop in Tetbury in March 2008, Camilla went for classic country style wearing a tweed skirt and blazer with suede boots.
Her £2200 shoulder bag was crafted by Tanner Krolle, an iconic British brand best known for its craftmanship, designs and exquisite materials.
Lulu Guinness
Camilla chose a clutch by Lulu Guinness whilst visiting the Museum of Modern Art in New York
Flying the flag for British designers at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Camilla chose a £275 sequinned clutch by Lulu Guinness.
Chanel
During her US tour in Novemer 2005, Camilla relied on her trusty £3250 quilted Chanel bag
A £3250 quilted Chanel flap bag with chain handle and silver hardwear gives a stylish twist to Camilla’s bouclé suit during a US tour in November 2005.
The bag has been a mainstay in her wardrobe and has been spotted on many occasions.
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