The real reason Duchess Kate always carries a clutch
In a matter of just a few years, the Duchess of Cambridge has become a style icon. Whether it’s a charity ball or a casual day out, Kate always seems to look trendy and classy yet still down-to-earth. But you might have noticed one thing about her outfits – she’s rarely seen without a clutch. And, according to a royal insider, there’s a surprisingly clever reason for it.
Speaking to Good Housekeeping, royal etiquette expert Myka Meier revealed the Duchess always carries one as a way of avoiding unwanted handshakes. “When the Duchess is at an event, she holds her bag in front of her in both hands when shaking hands might be awkward,” Meier explained.
And Kate’s not the only member of the royal family with a clever trick for getting out of awkward conversation. As we reported earlier in the year, the Queen has a secret signal she uses to indicate to her staff that she’s ready to leave a conversation.
“It would be very worrying if you were talking to the Queen and saw the handbag move from one hand to the other,” royal historian Hugo Vickers told People. “You see, this is a signal the Queen uses to indicate to her staff that she is ready to wrap up her current conversation.”
But Her Majesty is nothing if not tactful, and Vickers explains the exit would be very smooth and courteous. “Someone would come along and say, ‘Sir, the Archbishop of Canterbury would very much like to meet you.’”
So there you have it! The next time you have a dinner party or social event, it could be a good idea to swap your handbag for a clutch – it could save you from some awkward situations!