A rare black silk two-piece gown worn by Queen Victoria is set to go under the hammer next week.

The two-piece is set to sell for between £2,000 and £3,000 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Derbyshire Auction Centre in Etwall, Derby.

The gown, comprising a bodice and skirt, dates to around 1890 and is typical of the mourning fashion the monarch wore following the death of her husband Prince Albert in 1861.

The bodice and trained skirt, trimmed with black lace, chiffon, matt black sequins and mourning crepe, was passed to the present owner’s family by a lady in waiting at the beginning of the century.

It was on display at Kensington Palace until April this year as part of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.

The dress is among a number of items going up for auction at Hansons two-day Summer Fine Art Auction on June 28 to 29.

Queen Victoria, was Britain’s longest reigning monarch – ruling from June 1837 until January 1901.

She remained in mourning until the end of her life after her husband Albert died suddenly of typhoid in December 1861, aged 42.

Elizabeth Bailey, junior valuer at Hansons Auctioneers, said: “We hope that the gown is acquired by an institution that will allow the public to view it and imagine our Queen Victoria wearing it during her long reign from 1837-1901.

“Worn in the 1890s this fantastic dress formed part of Queen Victoria’s wardrobe towards her later years.”