Dame Helen Mirren generally seems the most serenely imperturbable of women, and most certainly not the sort to let her handbag plummet to the floor.
Yet this was the fate that befell the snakeskin leopard-print tote that had passingly rested in the crook of Dame Helen's elbow as she reeled backstage immediately after a stunning Dolce & Gabbana show in Milan.
Handbag rapidly restored to elbow - the accident occurred as the actress applauded the designers' seething sea of staff - she told The Daily Telegraph : "I have to say that I'm blown away. I loved it. It was immodest and grandiose and wonderful. I loved the theatricality of it."