No Cash, Please

The eccentricities of the Queen of England are well known in Europe, though many of them have not been confirmed (such as her energy-saving crusade reported to have turned Buckingham into a freezing unwelcoming palace).

The eccentricities of the Queen of England are well known in Europe, though many of them have not been confirmed (such as her energy-saving crusade reported to have turned Buckingham into a freezing unwelcoming palace). It’s true though that UK’s longest-reigning monarch never carries cash on her, except for Sundays, when she religiously –never better said– donates five pounds to the church collection basket. And since a crinkled note in her white-gloved hand would not look good, the palace butler patiently irons it into a small square where only her royal face is seen. And where does Her Highness put that Sunday fiver? Well, in her purse, of course. Her favorites are the black square ones with a golden clasp, by Launer’s of London, that combine well with her pastel outfits.

Though it has been said that her handbag –never far away from her and often seen in official photographs– is a decorative and empty prop, in it she actually carries her reading glasses, lipstick, compact and mint lozenges. In case she has to sign something or give an autograph, she includes her fountain pen. No Royal iPhone6 apparently, but also a small peg with a suction cap so she can hang her beloved purse discreetly under the table.

The fact that Queen Elizabeth never carries cash on her is not strange, though, as she shares this with all the kings and queens of the world, including the latest arrivals to the European Monarchy: Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia. Less common is the private cash machine that British Royals have in the Buckingham basement, provided by Coutts, the oldest bank in the world and one of UK’s most prestigious. All of us created equal? Nice one. Brilliant! Well done. But really quite a load of tosh, mate.