This crocheted hood was made in part by Queen Victoria in 1897, the year of her Diamond Jubilee. The hood was then given to the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Needlework Guild, who presented it to the Hungerford Workhouse.
The Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Needlework Guild was set up by Queen Victoria’s youngest child, Princess Beatrice, in 1890 with the intention of making warm and useful clothing that would be given to people in need. The president of each branch of the guild was nominated by Princess Beatrice herself and were to act on her behalf in presenting the clothes that were made to various charitable organisations.