How valuable is Queen Victoria’s toilet seat? Antiques Roadshow brings together its best royal finds

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Did you happen to lose a chunky gold bracelet with a lock of Queen Victoria’s hair in it near Hinchley Wood? As we learned in Antiquities Show: Royal Treasures (BBC One) A lady called Anne Wooster was pushing her daughter in a pram one day when she found a bracelet in the street. She handed it in to Surrey Police Station and when it wasn’t claimed three months later, the jewelery went to her. It turned out to be a gift from the monarch to one of her maids and is now worth thousands of pounds.

The discovery happened many years ago, as they publish this Exhibition of antiques was mostly made up of old recordings with a royal theme. But there must be someone who recognizes it. Did it fall off your wrist? Was it taken in a burglary? An interesting mystery that may never be solved.

Other treasures included a pin that Edward VII. gave to his hairdresser, a pheasant, which George VI. given to the man who renovated the kitchens at Sandringham (now stuffed and in a glass case), and an X-ray of Edward VIII’s right hand. We are solemnly told that she was “the hand that held Mrs. Simpson” and signed the abdication document. And definitely a more interesting piece of memorabilia than a Coronation teacup.

People are way too excited about items that have come into contact with royal flesh. Not just a pair of Queen Victoria’s big panties – worth around £16,000, but also her toilet seat. “A royal backside graced this seat!” shouted presenter Fiona Bruce. How much was it worth? “If I wanted to surprise and entertain my dinner guests and send them to the toilet,” said the expert, “I’d be willing to spend £500 on this toilet bowl. Wouldn’t you?” No, but to each their own.

The program filled the schedule pleasantly, but the BBC did not spend much time and energy on it. We followed up with one past contributor: a guy named Ben who showed his collection of crown china to Henry Sandon in 1998. He now lives in Israel, so we met his dad instead and saw Ben via FaceTime.

A curator from the Museum of Brands brought excellently preserved packaging: a box of Shredded Wheat from the time of Elizabeth II, cut and preserved by carriage; packet of Smith’s crisp from 1953. Worth nothing but nice to see. It’s up to you to keep your Colin the Caterpillar M&S Coronation Cake for posterity.

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