Princess Anne is known for her no-nonsense approach to style. Her wardrobe includes pieces that she has worn again and again at different periods of her life, and she prefers Britain’s sporty, well-established brands to anything haute couture.
In fact, just last week, his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. He was photographed wearing a coat belonging to Elizabeth. So it should come as no surprise that the royal family is seen everywhere carrying a handbag, which is sold in the Balmoral Castle gift shop.
Priced at £80.95, the Balmoral Blue Jura Tote is still available to buy from the royal residence’s on-site store and has been part of Anne’s accessory arsenal since at least September 2022.
During that month, Queen Elizabeth II. Following her death, Elizabeth was often seen wearing it on at least four different occasions, perhaps as a touching nod to the place where her beloved mother died. Also last January, King of Greece II. He also wore it at Constantine’s funeral.
The bag is described on the castle’s website as “ideal for women on the go” and features “a variety of zippered pockets inside and out for easy access to your belongings and pieces.”
This is exactly the kind of practical piece we associate with Anne. The cross-strapped model, made of The Leather Guild leather and special Balmoral blue tweed fabric, can also be worn on the shoulder with its adjustable strap.
While we can’t be sure whether Anne perused the gift shop herself or received the bag as a gift, one thing’s for sure: there are some real treasures to be found in gift shops across the UK.
Often stocking local artisan brands and specially commissioned pieces, these stores are a great place to find items that are a little different to what you’ll find on the rest of the high street and that you definitely wouldn’t notice. somebody else.
Here are some of The Telegraph’s favorite gift shops for unexpectedly stylish purchases.
Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire
purchasing stars: Balmoral Blue Jura Bag, £80.95, balmoralcastle.com
As well as the Princess Royal’s crossbody bag, there are other beautifully made accessories featuring signature Balmoral blue tweed, including pet collars, hats, scarves and purses. It’s also the ideal place to restock your whiskey cabinet.
Highcliffe Castle, Bournemouth
Highcliffe Castle gift shop has a constantly changing selection of gifts throughout the year. Stock up on local jams, honey, biscuits and teas from Dorset and Hampshire, as well as fun ceramics featuring notable women, British prime ministers and Shakespearean characters.
National Portrait Gallery, London
purchasing stars: 1972 patterned silk scarf, £95, Amelia Graham npgshop.co.uk
We’ll let you in on a fashion secret: The jewelery in the National Portrait Gallery gift shop is amazing. The store-exclusive pieces were designed by jeweler Sophie Howard and include star and pearl earrings, crescent moon necklaces and even an Anne Boleyn-inspired ‘B’ pendant necklace.
Tate St Ives, Cornwall
Purchasing stars: Red and gold drop earrings, £90, Joan Miro shop.tate.org.uk
The rugged landscape on the Cornwall coast is the inspiration for the beautiful gifts stocked at the Tate St Ives store, which sells greeting cards, prints and jewellery.
London Transport Museum, London
purchasing stars: Moquette Pouf, £300, ltmuseumshop.co.uk
Any design enthusiast worth their salt will wax poetic about the Art Deco-inspired flooring on the London Underground, dreamed up by textile designers Enid Marx, Marion Dorn and Paul Nash. Luckily, you can also buy classic posters like Man Ray in the gift shop, as well as soft furnishings and cushions in iconic, colorful prints.
Charleston House, Oxfordshire
Every inch of Charleston House, the former home of Virginia Woolf’s sister Vanessa Bell, is hand-decorated with colorful, cheerful murals throughout. The same eclectic spirit is evident in the gift shop, which sells interesting homewares, fabrics and stationery.
V&A, London
Purchasing stars: Ponderosa socks, £20, vam.ac.uk/shop
You’ll be spoiled for choice at the V&A, which has three gift shops, including one devoted to fashion exhibitions (a tote bag is the Gen Z status symbol here). Selling a variety of designer jewellery, expect to find plenty of museum-exclusive items, such as William Morris patterned silk scarves and Michael Michaud’s Lily of the Valley necklaces.
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
purchasing stars: Navy blue plaid scarf, £25, shop.chatsworth.org
The Duke of Devonshire’s lavish family seat is known for its impressive art collection. Unsurprisingly, the gift shop celebrates local artists and makers. There is a particularly beautiful selection of checkered scarves and woolen blankets, as well as nature-inspired costume jewelry.
Sir John Soane Museum, London
The former home of the Victorian architect of the same name, Sir John Soane Museum is one of London’s hidden gems. You can support her collection of unique archive-inspired pieces, including scarves and jewelry, by shopping. Every purchase helps maintain the building.