What’s in your Handbag?

Queen’s handbag:

Reading glasses
Fountain pen
Comb
Handkerchief
Small gold compact
Lipstick
Money*: £5-10 note on Sundays for church collection (tithes are generally 10% of what one makes. Yet I wouldn’t want anyone to know how much I really give. So let’s not call her stingy!)
Handbag hook: to hang under the table
Good luck charms (incl. miniature dogs, horses, saddles and horsewhips): most of these were given to her by her children
Family photos
Mints
Make-up case: a present from the Duke of Edinburgh

Source: The Telegraph – Contents of Queen’s handbag revealed: including £5 for church collection

Duchess of Cambridge’s clutch:

The following is what Katy Pearson imagines could be inside:

Silk handkerchief: After getting caught out shedding a tear at the royal premiere of War Horse (Steven Spielberg’s wife had to pass her a tissue) Catherine’s unlikely to forget a hankie again.
Comb
Compact
Black kohl: Eyeliner addicts such as Catherine won’t leave the house without it.
Haribo sweets: In the weeks before her wedding, Catherine’s local newsagent revealed the bride-to-be’s love of Haribo Starmix and Tangfastics sweets. If she’s anything like us there’s probably one or two still lost in the lining.

Source: The Lady – What’s REALLY in the Queen’s handbag?

Mine:

My motto for my handbag/purse is: Always be prepared!

The following is what I carry to work or in general:

Keys: Don’t want to be locked out! My keychain set includes: Swiss army knife (one might need a mini pair of scissors and more!), mini-flashlight (great for night time!), emergency whistle (
Kleenex: ALWAYS comes in handy
Mobile phone: Communication. My phone is kept in a phone purse.
Lip-balm: Keep one’s lips moisturised!
Lipstick: Sometimes, one needs colour!
Concealer*: I used to have this all the time when my skin wasn’t as clear as it is now. A touch-up can be useful every now and then.
Compact: This is my back-up. My phone’s protector screen is a ‘mirror’
Advil: When the monthly evil comes along, these painkillers save me!
Feminine products: at least one small, one normal and one large, plus tampon.
First-aid: bandaids in various sizes, disinfecting wipes, blister bandaids
Hand lotion: Great for winter and dry places.
Hand sanitiser: Kill those germs!
Mint: Get rid of that garlic-flavoured lunch breath you have!
Pen(s)
Purse/wallet
Business card holder with cards
Mini comb: Has been useful at times.
Hair elastics*: When I had longer hair, this was particularly useful in the summer!
Bobby pins / hair clips: Useful in the summer and/or to keep stray hair from covering one’s eyes!

The following is when I’m out at night or on the go (travelling light):

Keys
Mobile phone (inside phone purse): These two are what I should ALWAYS have on me!
Kleenex
Lip-balm
Credit card at most, some cash

Tips for all:

Taken from Yahoo! Voices:

Wallet: This is quite possibly the most important item in any bag. What would you do without cash, credit cards and ID, not to mention business cards, pictures and the other random bits of information kept in these mini-purses? Since a wallet is so important, it’s worth investing in one that is secure and can hold all the objects listed above. Some designer wallets can cost as much as an entire purse, but like the bag itself, a quality wallet is a must. Why not make it stylish too?
Cell Phone: How did we live before cell phones? The thought of going out without one seems unconscionable. Luckily, phones have become smaller and slimmer, so now you can fit your phone into the smallest clutch. But if you’re carrying a large bag, keep the phone in a side pocket to avoid fishing around frantically as it rings in the depths of your purse.
Keys: Even if you take public transportation and don’t need car keys, you must be able to get back into your home. Whether you have one lone house key or a key chain like a building superintendent, you’ll find room for these necessary items in your bag.
Make-up: We all carry some make-up in our purses; the type and amount are the only variables. Often a compact and lipstick will suffice, but sometimes you’ve got to bring along blush, lip liner and eye shadow for touch-ups. A zipper pocket is good location for make-up in a bag because it keeps brushes and powders away from other items that may damage or soil the make-up that goes on your face.
Mace/Pepper Spray: This should be a requirement for all women, and if you live in a city or travel alone frequently, it is. Cans no bigger than a tube of lipstick are available, so we should all make room in our purses for this critical personal safety item.
Breath Mints/Gum: If you’ve ever had a meeting with a client or co-worker after lunch, you know just how important a breath freshener can be! Keeping a stick of gum or small pack of mints in your bag is something you’ll thank yourself for later.