Antiques Road Trip returned on Thursday as show experts Mark Hill and Margie Cooper competed at auction after going on the hunt for treasured items which could turn a profit. The BBC expert admitted he couldn’t believe his luck after getting his hands on a royal item connected to Queen Victoria.

As the pair travelled through Shropshire, Mark came across a framed photograph of what he assumed to be a member of the royal family.

“I need to know who she is before I put her in front of bidders, so thankfully, one of my very dear friends, who is one of the foremost experts in aristocratic and particularly royal memorabilia,” he commented.

After sending the photos to his pal, he reiterated: “So let me get this right, she was the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria and she married King Alfonso the 13th of Spain. She is a pretty important political and cultural figure.”

Princess Victoria Eugenie Battenberg was the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria, and was also the Queen of Spain, having married King Alfonso XIII.

“There was me thinking she couldn’t be a member of royalty,” he mused, “but not only is she a member of royalty, she is a member of a royal house. The Royal House of Spain. Now, I know who she is, off to auction the Queen.”

The experts travelled to Brettells auctioneers in Newport as their items went under the gavel.

Mark admittedly spent all of his £400 budget on five items including his mystery royal item.

Turning to his colleague, he commented: “It’s the Queen of Spain. Princess Victoria Eugenie Battenberg. And it’s in a really nice JC Vickery – good retailer.”

While Mark paid £20 for the photograph, he looked strained as the bidding began at only £10 and sold for £18, resulting in a £2 loss.

Visibly mortified he leaned on his co-star, who attempted to comfort him while he pretended to cry.