A rare 1930s tartan kilt owned by The Duke of Windsor and passed down by a family who were in service for him is being sold at auction.
The unusual piece of royal memorabilia has been unearthed by the auctioneer Charles Hanson, star of the BBC"s Bargain Hunt, who described it as a significant royal find.
He said: As the tartan was unwrapped, I recognised the two-way colour scheme as a royal tartan.
The kilt has family provenance to a gentleman called David Campbell, who accompanied the Duke of Windsor to the Bahamas in the 1930s. It was given to the present owner in 1956 by his mothers brother, who was David Campbell.
Related LinksRoyal Familys "boot sale" fetches 2.1mQueen Victorias knickers fetch 4,500Royal memento fetches astounding 16,000 at auctionHe was working as a valet to the Duke of Windsor and the kilt bears a label for McDougalls of Inverness, which was a provider of exclusive clothing in the early 20th century.
The social history of the kilt is remarkable, added Mr Hanson. To handle such a garment of great royal pedigree is exciting."
In 1936, the desire of King Edward VIII to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite, caused a constitutional crisis in the British Empire and led to his abdication in December 1936.
The kilt goes on sale at Hansons Antiques at The Mackworth Hotel, Ashbourne Road near Derby tomorrow. Estimated at up to 500, it could easily exceed the guide price, as did a pair of Queen Victorias bloomers, which went for 4,500, and a pair of her stockings for 800.
It is not known if the man who gave up the throne gave up his underwear to wear the kilt in the traditional manner. It"s just a shame we dont know what, if anything, he wore underneath, said Mr Hanson.
Also in the auction is a bonnet box from Queen Victoria"s children"s nursery in the 1850s.
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