AN ANTIQUES Roadshow expert was left open-mouthed by a guest’s VERY cheeky royal memorabilia.
A classic episode of the BBC series took place in the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral.
Expert Hilary Kay met a lady who had brought in a big box and when Hilary opened it, she was surprised to find a pair of large knickers.
She said: “Well on here is a monogram which says VR, so what are we looking at?”
The guest replied: “We are looking at a very fine pair of Queen Victoria’s knickers.”
With a laugh, Hilary said: “Let’s have a look at this. This is Victoria’s secret. A big secret too.”
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She continued: “They are a fabulous pair of what is known as open drawers.
“And open drawers is exactly what ladies wore throughout the course of the 19th century.
“It is an extraordinary rarity I have to say. So explain to me exactly how you got this amazing piece of royal memorabilia?”
The lady replied they had been passed down through her family, after her ancestors had worked with titled individuals.
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Hilary then explained how Queen Victoria was well known for giving away intimate items as a token of affection.
She said: “They are made of very fine linen and they are beautiful.
“They are incredible and obviously it has been sewn by hand but if you look at those stitches it looks like it has been sewn by a mouse.
“Tiny, tiny stitches. They were stitching for their Queen.”
Her attention the turned to the value, and she told the guest that a previous pair had fetched £16,000 at auction.
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The guest was shocked, asking: “For a pair of knickers?”
Hilary said: “So, I have no hesitation in valuing these at the same figure. Probably around £12,000 to £16,000.
“It is a lot of money but it is a reflection of the regard with which Queen Victoria is held today.”
Antiques Roadshow is available on BBC iPlayer.
