A pair of Queen Victoria's 'big cotton knickers' has sold for £10,500

An unnamed bidder has paid £10,500 for a pair of Queen Victoria’s 45in underpants.

The price, which is the highest ever paid for a pair of Queen Victoria’s pants, was given to an auction in Wiltshire.

Chippenham Auction Rooms, had expected to receive about £5,000 and were surprised by the “record-breaking” bid.

The item was sold on behalf of Yesterday's World, a museum in Sussex.

The large waisted, cotton pants are embroidered with the royal VR monogram.

The bidder, an English woman who is a private collector, asked not to be identified.

The auction also sold nightdresses and stockings worn by Queen Victoria and her third child Princess Alice.

According to a spokesperson for the auction house, the woman also bought a number of other items of royal clothing and a set of replica Crown Jewels, which she paid £5,500 for.

Auctioneer Richard Edmonds said: "We've had a lot of interest in this sale and the auction room was packed with buyers and interested spectators. This is a record-breaking price for Victorian royal intimate apparel."