Princess of Wales's favourite handbag maker close to stake sale

Monday, 24 August 2026 16:10

By Mark Kleinman, City editor

A Scottish luxury handbag brand which counts the Princess of Wales among its high-profile customers is closing in on a private equity stake sale after seeing a sustained surge in sales.

Sky News has learnt that Strathberry is nearing a deal to sell a minority shareholding to Soho Square, a London-based investment firm.

Banking sources said the deal was expected to value Strathberry at close to £100m.

The transaction, which could be finalised in the coming weeks, will see BGF, an existing investor, sell its stake in the company.

Strathberry was founded by Leeanne Hundleby and her husband, Guy, and has seen its products become staples among several members of the Royal Family, including the Duchess of Sussex, who carried one of the company's leather bags on her first public outing after the announcement of her engagement to Prince Harry.

Jennifer Lopez is also said to be a fan of its products.

BGF, an investment firm backed by Britain's major high street banks, invested £8m in 2021 in return for a minority holding, since when sales are understood to have grown fivefold.

The 2021 deal is reported to have valued Strathberry at £32m, implying it is now worth roughly three times as much.

The company now has four standalone stores, split evenly between London and Edinburgh.

Soho Square and BGF declined to comment.

Sky News

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