A Glimpse into Royal Childhood
In an extraordinary event that bridges the past and present, a collection of baby clothes once worn by Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret, will soon be available for auction. This rare assemblage, which holds historical and sentimental value, will be showcased at Kerry Taylor Auctions in London, featuring six precious items that have been meticulously preserved over the decades.
The Collection’s Unique Pieces
The auction highlights a variety of garments that once adorned the young princesses, offering a peek into their early years. Among the items are a white cotton dress and bonnet, a red and white scalloped outfit, a yellow frock with intricate smocking, and a pink and green floral dress. Each piece tells a story of royal childhood, woven with the fabric of history.
A standout item in the collection is a printed floral dress from around 1930, expected to fetch between £1500 and £2400 ($2000-$3000) at the auction on June 11. This dress, like the others, bears the marks of time and the tender care of those who preserved it.
The Legacy of Clara Knight
The story of these clothes is intertwined with the legacy of Clara Knight, the royal nanny who played a significant role in the early lives of Elizabeth and Margaret. Hired initially in 1900 to care for Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the future Queen Mother, Knight became a trusted figure in the royal household. When Princess Elizabeth was born in 1926, the Queen Mother called upon Knight once more to help look after her newborn daughter and, later, her younger sister, Margaret.
Knight remained a close confidante and carer to the royal family until her death in 1946, during the reign of King George VI. Upon her passing, the clothes, cherished mementos of the young princesses’ childhoods, were kept by Knight’s family in East Sussex. Eventually, they were donated to the Bexhill Museum, where they remained until renovations required their return to Knight’s descendants.
Preservation and Auction
Daniel Haddon, an antiques collector, acquired the dresses and other items, ensuring their preservation. Haddon speaks fondly of the collection, saying, “The dresses make Elizabeth seem more human because you can see her as a child, running around getting dirty and playing. When you look at the dresses and see the repairs, you can see that they were stitching them up and using the clothes as much as possible. It makes the Queen relatable.”
This sentiment resonates deeply, as these garments offer a rare glimpse into the personal, everyday lives of figures often seen as distant and unapproachable. They humanise the late Queen Elizabeth and her sister, illustrating their childhood in a tangible, intimate way.
A Timeless Connection
The bond between Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret was profound, lasting until Margaret’s death in 2002, just weeks before the Queen Mother’s passing at the age of 101. These clothes are not just relics; they are embodiments of a sisterly connection and a bygone era.
The royal items of clothing are part of the Passion for Fashion and the Mr. Steven Philip Collection (Part 2) sale, a highly anticipated event that draws collectors and royal enthusiasts alike. The auction is set to occur in less than two weeks, promising to be a momentous occasion for those who appreciate the intricate tapestry of history and fashion.
The Royal Auction Landscape
This auction is not an isolated event; it is part of a broader trend where personal items of the British royal family are made available to the public. Princess Diana’s belongings, for instance, have frequently been auctioned, including a notable job contract where she had misrepresented her age.
Such auctions offer a fascinating intersection of history, celebrity, and personal narrative, allowing the public to connect with royal figures in a unique and intimate way. They provide a rare opportunity to own a piece of history, while also contributing to the ongoing fascination and reverence for the British monarchy.
