A pair of flying gloves worn by the former Prince Andrew during the Falklands War failed to attract a single bid at auction, with experts suggesting his damaged public reputation may have deterred potential buyers.
The signed pale leather gloves, worn by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – the then Duke of York – while serving as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot during the 1982 conflict, had been expected to fetch between £1,000 and £2,000 when they went under the hammer in Essex.
However, despite their military and royal provenance, the lot received no bids.
Auctioneers Reeman Dansie, based in Colchester, confirmed there had been no interest from buyers.
“There was no interest and no bids,” auctioneer James Grinter said.
“I think he is too hot to handle for the market at the moment.”
The gloves, which still bore signs of wear from Andrew’s wartime service, had originally been donated by the then-prince to a charity auction shortly after the Falklands conflict. They remained with the purchaser for more than four decades before being offered for sale again.
Andrew served with 820 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Invincible during the Falklands War, piloting Sea King helicopters on anti-submarine patrols, casualty evacuation missions and operations designed to distract incoming Exocet missiles.
At the time, the prince’s military service earned widespread praise and significantly boosted his popularity with the British public.
“Andrew was at the height of his popularity during the Falklands War and very highly regarded at the time,” Mr Grinter said.
“It would have been inconceivable then that he would be disgraced for his subsequent behaviour.”
The failed sale comes amid continuing scrutiny of the Duke of York’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has consistently rejected allegations made against him.
The gloves were accompanied by a letter from one of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s equerries explaining that Andrew had been unable to attend the original charity auction because he was spending time with his mother before an overseas royal tour.
While Andrew-related memorabilia struggled to attract interest, other royal items performed strongly during the same auction.
A letter written by Diana, Princess of Wales, shortly after her controversial Panorama interview sold for £5,330, comfortably exceeding expectations.
The contrast underlined the differing fortunes of royal memorabilia associated with some of the monarchy’s most recognisable figures.
Andrew’s military record remains one of the most notable chapters of his public life. Former colleagues have previously praised his abilities as a pilot, with Falklands veteran Commander Nigel Ward once describing him as “an excellent pilot and a very promising officer”.
Yet auctioneers suggested the former Duke’s current standing continues to affect the market value of items associated with him.
