On Friday 1 December 2017, Meghan Markle stepped out in Nottingham carrying a burgundy, navy and white leather tote. It was her and Prince Harry’s first official commitment since they announced their engagement on the Monday. The bag drew as much comment as the occasion. An etiquette expert said it went against a long-held royal habit of carrying a clutch.
The bag was a Strathberry tricolour Midi Tote. It is a Scottish-designed leather tote, handcrafted in Spain. She had set aside the usual clutch and left her hands free.
Why a clutch matters
The point is about handshakes, not fashion. Etiquette expert William Hanson told the Daily Mail that protocol says you do not extend your hand to a royal unless theirs is offered first. A polite way to signal that you are not planning to shake hands is to hold a clutch with both hands. That is why Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton are often photographed holding one.
Hanson added that there are other ways to avoid a handshake, which the Queen and other royals have used, than opting for a clutch over a bag with a strap. A bag with a handle or strap invites the possibility of contact. In Nottingham, the point was moot. A few people were lucky enough to see the engagement ring up close as Meghan shook hands.
The people at the walkabout
The couple were marking World Aids Day. They did a 30-minute walkabout, then visited a charity fair and a local school. The fair, run by the Terrence Higgins Trust, was held at Nottingham Contemporary. The school visit was to Nottingham Academy, to learn about a youth mentoring programme called Full Effect.
Crowds had waited a long time in the cold. Meghan soon peeled off on her own to meet fans on the other side of the street. When fans asked for selfies, she said apologetically that they were not allowed. When a young woman complained of cold hands, she handed over a handwarmer from her pocket. It was Harry’s third visit to Nottingham since October 2016, and he has long championed AIDS charities, following in his late mother’s footsteps.
What happened to the bag
The tote sold out within minutes. Refinery29 reported that it went in 11 minutes. Prices were reported differently. One outlet gave £495. Another gave £545.
Strathberry welcomed the engagement. The brand told Elle UK it was delighted at the news and wished the couple well. The burgundy tote Meghan carried, from the original production run, was later auctioned on eBay to raise funds for the charity. The sell-out was seen as the first sign of the “Meghan effect”. By December 2022, Hello reported the Burgundy/Navy/Vanilla colourway was back in stock.
FAQ
Was Meghan Markle’s handbag at Nottingham really against the rules?
There is no official rule. Hanson described it as a matter of protocol and habit, and the clutch is a convention, not a law.
When did the Nottingham outing take place?
It took place on 1 December 2017, nine years ago, a few days before Harry and Meghan began touring Britain ahead of their May wedding at Windsor Castle.