Royal watch gift to be sold
Princess Charlotte of Wales presented the 18ct watch to her physician, Dr George Roddam, in 1816.
The Barwise watch, being sold on behalf of an anonymous vendor, is being auctioned by Featonby's Auctioneers & Valuers in North Shields on July 1.
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The watch is inscribed ‘From Her Royal Highness THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES to Dr Roddam As a Mark of H.R.H Remembrance of his great attention & for the benefit H.R.H has derived from his professional advice. King Lodge WEYMOUTH JAN, 1th, 1816.’
Tragically, Princess Charlotte died following childbirth in November 1817, aged just 21.
She was the only child of King George IV, who was still Prince of Wales during her lifetime, and his wife Caroline of Brunswick.
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Dr Roddam was born at Fellhouse, Slaley, in 1774.
He entered the Navy as a surgeon in 1796 and served on various ships during the Napoleonic Wars. He was appointed surgeon on the royal yacht in 1812 and was Princess Charlotte’s physician in 1814-15. He was admitted as naval physician to King George IV in 1821 and was physician to Prince Leopold, widower of the princess.