One of Queen Victoria's outfits to be auctioned in Derbyshire after being found in a wardrobe

Queen Victoria’s skirt and bodice, bloomers, stockings and leather boots – almost a complete royal outfit - will be auctioned off in Derbyshire after being unearthed from a wardrobe.
Emma Carberry with the royal outfit.Emma Carberry with the royal outfit.
Emma Carberry with the royal outfit.

The remarkable array of clothing, treasured for generations by the same family, belongs to 63-year-old electrical engineer Roderick Williams.

He’s now decided to sell the collection and it could potentially make more than £15,000 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall on January 21.

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In 2008, Hansons sold a pair of Queen Victoria’s bloomers for £4,500, a chemise for £3,800 and a nightdress for £5,200.

They sparked an international buying battle with bids coming in from Brazil, Russia, Hong Kong and New York- such is the fascination with the British monarch who reigned for 63 years.

Mr Williams, from Norwich, said: “Queen Victoria’s clothing and boots are family heirlooms which were originally given to my great-great grandfather, Alexander Lamont Henderson.

“He worked as a royal photographer for Queen Victoria up to her death in 1901 and we think the clothes were probably given to him by servants in the royal household, perhaps in return for taking photographs of them.”

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The items include cream and red stockings, a chemise, black skirt, bodice, bloomers and two pairs of handmade leather ankle boots.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “As an auctioneer it’s always wonderful to handle living history. In a turbulent world, we can look back at one of our greatest monarchs. Victoria was queen from 1837 to 1901 and had a deep impact on her country.

“Famously, after the death of her beloved husband Prince Albert in 1861, she wore black for the rest of her life and the bodice and skirt we’re selling are black.

“Throughout her life she was a leader in every sense and swift to pick up on new ideas, so we shouldn’t be surprised that she spotted the talents of a ground-breaking photographer.”

Queen Victoria’s clothing and boots will be sold at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall. To find out more, email: [email protected]