Shoes probably worn by Queen Victoria

These shoes are believed to have been worn by Queen Victoria. They were made by the Queen's shoemaker, Gundry & Son. They are inscribed 'Worn by Queen Victoria' on the sole, and 'June 8th' on the lining. Gundry & Son supplied shoes to the Queen throughout her reign and appear regularly in the Office of Robes accounts. They made her coronation and wedding shoes.

These shoes were part of a collection of royal clothing owned by Samuel Bagster the elder (1772-1851) and his wife, Eunice Bagster (1777-1877), and were passed down through their family until they were acquired by the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection in 2016.

Bagster was the founder of the publishing firm of Bagster and Sons who from the early 19th century specialised in producing more readily available editions of bibles and related religious texts. From the reign of George IV, Bagster supplied bibles to the Royal Family and Queen Victoria was well acquainted with his wife Eunice. They might have been given to the Bagster family by Queen Victoria as a gift, a common practice during her reign.