A set of aviation gloves worn by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor during his helicopter duties in the Falklands conflict in 1982 went unsold at auction. The signed leather gloves, bearing marks from helicopter operations over 40 years ago, were estimated to fetch between £1,000 and £2,000 but failed to meet the reserve price at a Colchester auction. Originally donated by the prince to a charity sale post-war, the gloves remained with the initial buyer for four decades.
Auctioneer James Grinter highlighted the wear and tear on the gloves from the prince’s time in the cockpit. He suggested that the gloves could have commanded a high price if not for the ongoing allegations and investigations involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The former prince, currently under scrutiny by Thames Valley Police for alleged misconduct, denies any wrongdoing.
Thames Valley Police expanded their inquiry into the ex-prince amid allegations of various misconduct, including sexual impropriety and corruption. The auctioneer attributed the lack of interest in the gloves to the tarnished reputation of King Charles’ younger brother in light of the ongoing scandal. In contrast, a letter penned by Princess Diana following her Panorama interview fetched £5,330 at the same auction.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor served with 820 Naval Air Squadron on board HMS Invincible during the Falklands War, conducting missions such as anti-submarine patrols and casualty evacuations. Despite being described as an excellent pilot and promising officer, his titles were stripped in October, and his name removed from plaques in the Falkland Islands.
