Yes, it's true. Queen Victoria's bloomers sold over the weekend for a whopping £6,200 at auction. It's quite an impressive sum of money for what look like hospital gown material culottes. And also, you get a lot for your money... they boast a 52" waist, which apparently equals a size 26 in today's conversions.Auctioneer Michael Hogben, of Westenhanger Auction house, commented:

The items are very large - she wore them towards the end of her life when she had eaten a lot more than most people could afford to.They are from about 1890. When Queen Victoria died she gifted a lot of her under-linen to her loyal servants.

I'm not really sure why anyone would want these (also up for grabs was silk stockings and a chemise), I can't imagine they make very interesting dinner party talk. It does remind though of the time I found a pair of XXXL sparkly beige trousers by none other than Bob Mackie in my local charity shop. Who, in North West London, wore these I have no idea, but I literally freaked out. Obviously I'll never wear them, they are more of a keep sake.I do love a fashion auction though. Just last week I very narrowly missed out on a five-piece lot of vintage Gianna Versace pieces. I kicked myself for not upping the bid at the last minute. And I have bought other vintage pieces from the amazing Kerry Taylor auction house.Anyway, I hope Queen Vic's drawers were thoroughly cleaned before sale!