A Buckingham Palace milk bottle gifted to a carpet fitter decades ago is set to churn up auction excitement.
Back in the 1980s London tradesman Brian Burrows had an impressive client – Queen Elizabeth II. He was called into Buckingham Palace to replace carpets – and every worker needs a cuppa, usually with a splash of milk. It was something Brian appreciated and on one particular day he came away with a special memento, a royal milk bottle distinguished with a crown, royal cypher ‘ER’ and the words ‘Pasteurised Milk’.
The bottle, which is around 40 years old, is being auctioned by Hansons Richmond, London, on September 30 guided at £70-£100. And according to the saleroom it could prove to be the cream of the crop for collectors of royal memorabilia.
Chris Kirkham, associate director of Hansons Richmond, said: “Brian was employed by the Queen to change carpets annually ahead of public viewings at Buckingham Palace. During one such fitting, the Queen Mother kindly ordered for ‘tea to be made for Mr Burrows’. The Royal Dairy delivered milk to Buckingham Palace in specially monogrammed bottles and Brian was allowed to keep one.
“The unusual piece of royal memorabilia has been cared for by the Burrows family for more than 40 years but now they feel it’s time to find it a new home. It reminds us that whether you’re rich, poor or royalty, most people ensure hard-working tradesmen get a well-deserved cuppa.”
The seller, Brian’s daughter Jackie Kensit, from Hillingdon, London, said: “My father, who was born in Edinburgh in 1942 but lived in Fulham all his life, became an apprentice carpet fitter at the age of 15. He went on to build up his own business, BB Flooring. In 1993 a good friend asked him to help at Buckingham Palace and then, twice a year until my dad retired in 2005, he went to the palace to exchange carpets for viewing areas.
“My mum, Jean, was a true royalist but only my dad was privileged to meet Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and his favourite royal, Princess Michael of Kent.
“My dad retired early due to Parkinson’s disease and my parents went to live in Spain. The milk bottle went with them. It took pride of place in my late mother’s kitchen. It was always on show. Mum was proud to tell the story to whoever asked about it.”
Mr Kirkham said: “This royal find shows how a small memento can bring joy for decades. The milk of human kindness often has a bigger impact than people realise. Sadly, Brian passed away at the age of 68 in 2010 and the family lost Jean at the age of 78 in 2023. The milk bottle has been tucked away and the family would like it go to someone who will enjoy owning it as much as their parents did.
“It also provides a history lesson in recycling. For decades, fresh milk was delivered to our doorsteps every day in recyclable glass bottles by milkmen using electric milk floats! Home milk deliveries died out in the 1990s after the deregulation of the milk industry, which allowed supermarkets and other stores to sell it.”
Auction: The royal milk bottle, Lot 311, will be offered on September 30 in the Hansons Richmond Fine Art, Antiques and Collectors Auction.
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
Enquiries: [email protected]
