BABY clothes worn by Queen Victoria could fetch thousands at auction after they were gifted to a royal nanny from Herefordshire.
The tiny set – made up of booties, socks and a bonnet – is believed to have been given to nanny Phyllis Blanchard by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Ms Blanchard was affectionately known to royal youngsters in her care, including Prince Charles, as “Nanny Bun”, as she kept her long hair neatly tied back.
When she died in 2005, aged 91, Ms Blanchard, of Leominster, left the baby clothes to her great niece Chlöe Kay, a hairdresser from Exeter.
Ms Kay is now selling the historical royal items via Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire, where they will go under the hammer next month.
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She said: “Royals had a great tradition of giving gifts to their staff and this is one example of the queen’s generosity.
“My great aunt was known to the royal charges in her care, including Prince Charles, as “Nanny Bun” because she had long hair which she kept in a smart bun.
“She was known for being very fierce with a no-nonsense approach.
“The prince must have been fond of her though because he visited her in care home in Leominster.”
The small leather booties, which measure just 12.5cm, would have been worn by Victoria at the age of one, while the lace socks and bonnet would have likely graced by the future monarch in her crib.
Hanson’s owner, Charles Hanson, said the “delightful” clothing is at odds with portraits of the famously dark-clad monarch in later life.
He added: “Over the years we have been lucky enough to sell items of clothing worn by one of this country’s most famous monarchs, including her bloomers with a 50in waist.
“But never anything this small.
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“It is strange to think that the monarch we think of as being an unsmiling dowager, dressed in black, was once a bouncing baby girl.
“It’s so exciting to uncover historical items relating to Queen Victoria.
“Clothing connected to her is greatly sought after, especially items from her child and babyhood which are very rare.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source uk.news.yahoo.com ’
