Queen Victoria’s knickers ‘given away as tokens of friendship’ get whopping valuation on Antiques Roadshow-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned to find out she could get £16,000 for a pair of Queen Victoria’s knickers.

In a classic episode of the BBC show, expert Hilary Kay was immediately intrigued by the mystery item as she opened a box to reveal the underwear.

‘We all love a box, don’t we? And this box has a secret. And let’s see what that secret is,’ she teased as she pulled out the knickers. ‘Well on here is a monogram which says VR, so what are we looking at’

The guest said: ‘We are looking at a very fine pair of Queen Victoria’s knickers.’

Hilary joked they had discovered ‘Victoria’s secret’, and quipped: ‘A big secret too.’

As she inspected the garments, she added: ‘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?’

Queen Victoria’s knickers appeared on the show (Picture: BBC/Antiques Roadshow)

We’ve discovered Victoria’s secret (Picture: BBC/Antiques Roadshow)

Expert Hilary Kay was impressed by the item (Picture: BBC/Antiques Roadshow)

The guest was stunned by the valuation (Picture: BBC/Antiques Roadshow)

The guest explained how the pants had been passed down by her family, going back ‘a number of generations’.

‘Back in the family a number of generations ago there was a baroness and they clearly worked in circles of other titled individuals and my granny was given these by one of the ladies in the bed-chamber,’ she said.

Hilary noted that Queen Victoria was known to give away her knickers – which she described as ‘beautiful’ – as tokens 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.’

In terms of the valuation, she added: ‘I have to tell you that the last pair I saw at auction fetched £16,000.’

The guest was understandably shocked to find out she could get that much ‘for a pair of knickers’, but Hilary continued: ‘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 airs Sundays at 8pm on BBC One.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Amanda Holden leaves fans blushing after accidentally flashing her knickers in outfit video

MORE : Mel B confesses she wasn’t wearing knickers when she received MBE from Prince William: ‘Stark naked’

Entertainment – MetroRead More