Queen's doll collection on show

The delicate figures come from all over the world

Thirty-three dolls given to the Queen as a child and throughout her reign are going on show this week.

The historic collection will be displayed at Frogmore House, near Windsor Castle, in Berkshire.

The exhibition includes a doll made in 1910 of biscuit porcelain and an Afro-American one given to the Queen in 1957 by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Frogmore House is no longer an occupied royal residence but was once a favourite retreat of Queen Victoria.

In Medieval times, the royals would give dolls to show prospective brides the fashions of the English court Curator Elaine Ward

The 1910 doll, which is preserved in an acid-free box away from damaging light, has never been shown in the UK before.

Curator Elaine Ward said: "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."

The collection includes a West Indian doll made by the Brownies and Guides of Nevis Island, six dolls from Jamaica and two from Japan which are dressed in yellow and orange kimonos.

Ms Ward said: "In Medieval times, the royals would give dolls to show prospective brides the fashions of the English court. It was a way of showing them what to expect."