Queen Victoria's Christmas tree decorations sold at auction

Daniel Hadden had been using the decorations on his own tree

Queen Victoria's Christmas tree decorations have been sold at auction.

Two of the the Queen's royal fir tree adornments, which had been owned by a man from East Sussex, have sold for a total price of £1,443.

The doll inside a woven crib and wax doll missing a leg, which are more than 120 years old, had been owned and used by royal historian Daniel Hadden.

Despite his passion for vintage decorations, Mr Hadden decided it was time to part ways with the items.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire, said: "They sparked major pre-sale interest and sold to a private UK online bidder. They will be cherished and preserved for years to come."

Mr Hadden, who lives near Wivelsfield Green, explained that the decorations had originally been given to a teenager in the late 1800s.

'Historically important'

He added: "With Christmas approaching I decided it was time to let someone else enjoy these royal festive mementos.

"They can have the pleasure of owning something that belonged to one of Britain's most famous monarchs, and use them to decorate their tree."

Mr Hanson said: "Very few people in the world can say they have Queen Victoria's decorations hanging from their Christmas tree.

"These items are historically important, too. As well as being early festive decorations they remind us that Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert helped to make Christmas what it is today.

"They popularised the use of decorated fir trees in the 19th Century. Christmas trees, and their decorations, are a magical and important part of our festive celebrations."

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