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Sunday, July 01, 2012

Queen Victoria's mourning dress sold for £6,000 in Derbyshire

The outfit includes a hat, boots and undergarments.
A mourning outfit worn by Queen Victoria following the death of her husband Prince Albert has been sold at auction in Derbyshire.

The outfit, which includes a black skirt with a 43in (109cm) waist, was among items originally bought in a house sale in the 1970s.

Queen Victoria remained in mourning for more than 30 years after her husband died from typhoid in 1861.

The garments were sold for more than £6,000 to a US collector, on Saturday.

Charles Hanson, manager of Hanson's auctioneers in Etwall, said: "The garments date back to the 1880s and include her silk undergarments, comprising a pair of silk bloomers and a chemise.

"Both objects are monogrammed VR [Victoria Regina].

"It's a real catwalk find. We unpack lots of cardboard boxes in our saleroom and you do not expect to unearth such important royal uniform which belonged to our longest-serving monarch."

News by BBC

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