Ex-Prince Andrew‘s unusual auction listing reportedly ended without a buyer after his Falklands-era gloves drew no bids. The former royal’s signed pale leather flying pair had been valued between £1,000 and £2,000.
A new report said the items still carried dirt from helicopter operations. The sale also placed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s past military popularity beside his current diminished public standing. Another royal item, linked to Princess Diana, performed far better at the same Essex sale.
Ex-Prince Andrew’s dirty gloves reportedly failed to sell at auction
As per GB News, the pair failed to sell on Tuesday. The auction was held at Reeman Dansie in Colchester, Essex. The pale leather items had been worn during the 1982 Falklands conflict. Auctioneer James Grinter said, “There was no interest and no bids.” He added, “I think he is too hot to handle for the market at the moment.” The lot did not reach its undisclosed reserve.
Meanwhile, the report said the original purchaser had kept the items for more than four decades. Andrew had reportedly donated them to a charity sale after the war. The lot also included an apology letter from an equerry. It explained that the then-prince could not attend the original charity auction. At the time, he was spending time with Queen Elizabeth II before her overseas tour. In contrast, a letter from Diana, Princess of Wales, fetched £5,330 at the same sale.
The report also noted Andrew served with 820 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Invincible. During the conflict, he piloted Sea King helicopters on patrols and casualty evacuation missions. Grinter said Andrew was once “at the height of his popularity.” He also called him “very highly regarded at the time.” However, the auctioneer said the sale showed how the market viewed him now. GB News added that memorabilia linked to Andrew had previously sold well. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing in connection with later allegations.
