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BABY clothes worn by Queen Victoria could fetch thousands at auction after they were gifted to a royal nanny from Herefordshire.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ms Blanchard was affectionately known to royal youngsters in her care, including Prince Charles, as \u201cNanny Bun\u201d, as she kept her long hair neatly tied back.<\/p>\n
When she died in 2005, aged 91, Ms Blanchard, of Leominster, left the baby clothes to her great niece Chl\u00f6e Kay, a hairdresser from Exeter.<\/p>\n
Ms Kay is now selling the historical royal items via Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire, where they will go under the hammer next month.<\/p>\n
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n She said: “Royals had a great tradition of giving gifts to their staff and this is one example of the queen\u2019s generosity.<\/p>\n \u201cMy great aunt was known to the royal charges in her care, including Prince Charles, as \u201cNanny Bun\u201d because she had long hair which she kept in a smart bun.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was known for being very fierce with a no-nonsense approach.<\/p>\n “The prince must have been fond of her though because he visited her in care home in Leominster.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Hanson’s owner, Charles Hanson, said the “delightful” clothing is at odds with portraits of the famously dark-clad monarch in later life.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cOver the years we have been lucky enough to sell items of clothing worn by one of this country\u2019s most famous monarchs, including her bloomers with a 50in waist.<\/p>\n “But never anything this small.<\/p>\n Stay updated with all the latest Herefordshire news that matters to you!<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n
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