Royal Watch News
Queen's dolls displayed
May 16, 2006, 14:39 GMT
Queen Elizabeth's private doll collection will go on display this week.
The exhibition - at Frogmore House, near Windsor Castle - features 33 dolls given to the British monarch during her reign.
Many of the figures were presented to the 80-year-old when she was a child. The display will include a West Indian doll, an Afro-American model Eleanor Roosevelt presented to the queen in 1957 and two traditional dolls from Japan. Visitors will also be able to view a 1938 Jumeau replica of the monarch's 'France' doll, which is wearing the Women's Volunteer Service uniform. The original doll was given to Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret when they visited Paris with their parents almost 70 years ago. One of the most exciting figures is a delicate biscuit porcelain doll, which was made in Germany in 1910 by Simon & Halbig. Curator Elaine Ward told Britain's BBC website: 'The queen played with it as a child and, considering this, it's in remarkably good condition. 'It's fragile because it's old and has to be handled carefully now. We're not sure who gave it to the queen, but we believe she received it as a present in 1930.' She added: 'In Medieval times, the royals would give dolls to show prospective brides the fashions of the English court.'Copyright 2006 BANG Media International
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