Closet riches in Victoria’s wardrobe

A HOMEOWNER who bought a secondhand wardrobe only to discover it belonged to Queen Victoria has sold it for £3,000.

The buyer found a stamp inside stating “VR BP No 79 1866” – which stands for Victoria Regina, Buckingham Palace, used in Room 79 and dated to the year 1866.

The vendor bought it at an antique sale several years ago but initially had no idea of its regal history.

Richard Bromell, of auctioneers Charterhouse in Sherborne, Dorset, said: “Rarely do you come across furniture from any royal residence on the open market.

“We have no history as to how this came to be removed from its bedroom but we suspect it was when the room was redecorated some time in the early to mid-20th century.”