With most of her life dedicated to public appearances and making small talk with people she doesn’t know, it seems the Queen has perfected the art of exiting a conversation.
In an interview with People dating back to 2011, which has recently resurfaced online, royal historian Hugo Vickers says that thanks to her well trained staff and a handbag, Queen Elizabeth can exit any conversation with the most minute of signals.
“It would be very worrying if you were talking to the Queen and saw the handbag move from one hand to the other,” he 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 before you start wording up your own friends on how you can implement the handbag-exit-signal into your own social interactions, check yourself. Because the follow-up strategy is one exclusive to being royal and having important people in your immediate circle.
“It would be done very nicely,” Vickers assures the magazine. “Someone would come along and say, ‘Sir, the Archbishop of Canterbury would very much like to meet you.'”
Because nothing flatters a boring-conversationalist more than the knowledge another royal wants to chat.
More than that, Vickers adds that for the Queen's staff, one of the most dramatic signals she can send is the spinning of her ring, which indicates she needs to be rescued immediately.
So for those who find themselves in conversation with her majesty, focus on her handbag. And her ring. It might give you some indication of how strong your social skills are.
Top Comments
Does the queen wear her ring over her gloves?
If you're focusing on her handbag or ring I'm guessing you aren't a very good conversationalist after all.