Antiques Roadshow expert taken aback by 'absolutely marvellous' Royal jewellery

An guest gasped as she discovered the true value of her inherited family heirlooms.

In a nostalgic journey to 2008, expert Geoffrey Munn encountered a guest at Lichfield Cathedral who possessed a remarkable array of inherited jewellery.

The owner recounted the history behind the pieces: "This jewellery came from my late husband's family and as far as I believe, my father-in-law's grandmother was nanny to Queen Alexandra and Edward II's children or Lord and Lady Nollie's children. Lady Charlotte Nollie was laid in wait to Queen Alexandra."

Munn, impressed by the story, responded enthusiastically: "Well fantastic and there's plenty of evidence to back that up, isn't there?

"These magnificent little presentation brooches are sort of a little march through her career."

Examining a particular piece, he remarked: "This is the cipher of Queen Alexandra, the double A isn't it? Under the royal crown and so perhaps this was a Christmas present.

"Maybe that's a birthday present and yet another one and this nanny would wear them with enormous pride, I'm absolutely sure."

Munn highlighted two specific items that he believed would have been sources of immense pride for the nanny.

"Have you thought at all about the date 1902? Why that would be so special? It's the coronation of Edward VII.

"Certainly, this dear Mrs Martin, the nanny, would have shared in the great drama that surrounded the coronation of Edward VII."

He believed the people who attended the coronation would have been given a medal, while closer friends received a brooch with the date 1902 on the lid.

However, it was the "stunning telegrams" that truly caught his attention, revealing the depth of their relationship.

Reading one, he said: "It says, handed in at Sandringham, 'Mrs Martin at Sir John Nollie's stable yard, St James' Palace' and it says, and I think this is full of drama, I really do: 'Poor dear baba and tiny mama miss nana very much.

"'Hope she is well and not too sad, signed Princess of Wales."

The guest asked if the sadness referred to Queen Alexandra's death, and Munn replied: "That's absolutely right, isn't it. Of course living with them, you're going to get that. Absolutely marvellous.

"I'm sure it was a very, very exciting moment to receive that."

Moving onto another telegram, he said: "Similar excitement here. Fantastically exciting invitation. It says, at Sandringham, 'The Queen wishes to let nana know that she's expected here as usual for Christmas.'

"Fantastic, isn't it? Straight from the heart. My goodness."

The guest agreed, saying it was "lovely" and showed "their closeness".

Asking how she truly felt about the jewels, the owner shared: "I just love them. I feel as though I'd like to go back in time and be part of it.

"But I suppose in a way I am a part of it, because they have ended up in my care."

It was clear that he didn't want to appraise the items though: "So value. Goodness. Well this is almost vulgarity to value them. I don't know where to start."

Nevertheless, he began the valuation with a medallion from Edward VII's coronation valued at £600, followed by a brooch from the same event at £1,250, prompting the guest to gasp in surprise.

Munn then admired a more intricate brooch, valuing it at £1,750, and a "gorgeous watch, plain but sophisticated" at an impressive £2,000, leaving the guest astounded.

Highlighting another exquisite item, he described: "And then back here with more colour in translucent green enamel and white enamel and pearls.

"These are not just masterpieces of ciphers and monograms; they're thoughtfully designed in colour, texture, and three dimensions - they are little sculptures in boxes. So really £2,000 again for that one."

Laughing, the guest remarked: "I nearly didn't bother to come today."

Caught off guard, he enquired: "Did you not?", to which the owner confessed: "I nearly stayed at home and decorated."

Munn beamed with delight as he responded: "Well I'm massively relieved you put the paintbrush down. You've really made my day and this is absolutely marvellous.

"I know you're going to take great care of them because you care about them, don't you?", to which she agreed that she cares for them "very, very much".

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