Queen Victoria's cotton lawn petticoat

This fine cotton lawn petticoat has been widely photographed and features in Historic Royal Palaces most viewed video 'Queen Victoria's petticoat takes a bath'

The chelating agent triammonium citrate combined with anionic detergent Orvus WA paste was used to clean the petticoat and i must say it has done a brilliant job!

© Historic Royal Palaces 2026

Dating between 1840-1841, this petticoat was worn by Queen Victoria during the earlier years of her reign, when she was in her early 20s. This full body petticoat would have been worn closes to The Queen's skin to absorb sweat and body odour thus protecting the outer dress and other petticoats from being stained and needing to be washed more frequently. Multiple petticoats would have been worn above this petticoat and her corset before the outer gown would be worn.

This petticoat features three darts at the bust point and a small 'tape' at the bodice edge to attach almost miniscule cartridge pleats to. The hem is plain and is 5-6 inches in depth. At the back of the petticoat there are two drawstrings which would have been used to create a fitted neckline underneath a dress. This petticoat has a 26 inch waist and 35 inch bust which is not far off from her wedding dress measurements. The bodice shows signs that the buttons and eye fastenings may have been moved by an inch, increasing the size of the

bodice, suggesting it could have originally fastened at 25 inches at the waist, and 34 inches at the bust.

© Historic Royal Palaces 2026

Throughout her reign Queen Victoria regularly gave away many items of clothing – particularly gloves, nightgowns and underwear (especially her knickers!) – as a way of thanking people for their service. As a piece of underwear this petticoat was given by the Queen to publisher, Samuel Bagster the Elder and his wife Eunice, who had supplied three monarchs, King George IV, King William IV and Queen Victoria, with Bibles. The petticoat was proudly passed through the family before joining The Ceremonial Dress Collection at Historic Royal Palaces. It was last displayed at Kensington Palace in 2019 as part of the ‘Victoria: Woman and Crown’ exhibition, celebrating 200 years since the monarch’s birth.

Being able to examine this petticoat up close and take measurements was and absolute joy for me, i look forward to measuring and viewing later additions of Queen Victoria's wardrobe,