Latest news with #PrincessAmelia
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Royal ring bought at Leicester charity shop could fetch £5k
A rare ring made to commemorate the death of a Royal princess, which was picked up in a charity shop for £15, is expected to sell for up to £5, mourning ring was commissioned following the death of Princess Amelia, the youngest daughter of King George III, in V, her brother, commissioned 52 of the rings and distributed them among family and close friends after her funeral in of the rings, purchased in a Leicester charity shop, is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 at auction. Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said he was "stunned" by the discovery which he described as "the most important" charity shop find he had heard of in a decade. It was brought to him by a client who purchased it in a charity shop, unaware of its historical Amelia died on 2 November 1810, aged 27, having battled ring bears the words "remember me" after the princess reportedly pressed a ring into her father, King George III's hands, on her death bed, whilst she whispered those Hanson said: "This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets."It's not just the monetary value - it's the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you."
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Royal ring found on sale in charity shop for £15
A rare mourning ring, commissioned by George IV to commemorate his sister Princess Amelia, is set to be auctioned after being purchased for £15 at a Leicester charity shop. The ring dates back to the early 19th century and was brought to auctioneer Charles Hanson by a client unaware of its historical significance. Mr Hanson described the find as the most important he has encountered from a charity shop in a decade and said he was 'stunned and dazzled'. The ring is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 at auction. Princess Amelia died in 1810 from tuberculosis, aged just 27, and the ring, crafted by royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, is one of 52 made to be distributed among family and friends after her funeral.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Rare royal ring bought for £15 in charity shop could be worth huge sum
A rare mourning ring commissioned by George IV to commemorate his sister, Princess Amelia, is set to be auctioned after being purchased for just £15 at a charity shop in Leicester. The ring, dating back to the early 19th century, was brought to auctioneer Charles Hanson by a client who was unaware of its historical significance. Mr Hanson described the find as the most important he had encountered from a charity shop in a decade. The piece is now expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 at auction. 'I was stunned and dazzled,' Mr Hanson said. 'This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets. From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal royal history, commissioned by the royal family itself to honour a lost loved one. 'It's not just the monetary value, it's the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you.' Princess Amelia died in 1810 from tuberculosis. The ring was commissioned that same year and crafted by the royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. On her deathbed, Amelia is said to have pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father George III's hand, whispering 'remember me'. Those final words were immortalised in the ring's design, with the phrase inscribed beneath the image of a crown. Her father later lost his sanity, an event which became the subject of countless literary and cultural depictions of the 'Mad King George'. The ring is one of only 52 made, which would have been distributed among family and close friends after Amelia's funeral at Windsor. 'The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death,' Mr Hanson said. 'White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried. It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Rare royal mourning ring commissioned by King George IV bought in charity shop for just £15 – here's what it's worth
A RARE mourning ring commissioned by King George IV has been found in a charity shop – and snapped up for just £15. The gold band, engraved with the touching words 'Remember me', was created to honour the death of Princess Amelia, youngest daughter of King George III. 5 5 The historic piece was discovered in a charity shop in Leicester and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, where it could fetch between £3,000 and £5,000. Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: 'It's the most important charity shop find I've heard about in a decade.' The unsuspecting buyer had picked up the ring from a local shop, unaware of its royal connection. Mr Hanson recalled: 'I was stunned and dazzled. From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal Royal history – commissioned by the Royal family itself to honour a lost loved one.' Princess Amelia was born on 7 August 1783 and died aged 27 in 1810 after a long battle with tuberculosis. Her death is thought to have devastated King George III, accelerating his mental decline. She was believed to be his favourite child. The ring, crafted by top royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, was one of only 52 made on the orders of the Prince Regent – who later became King George IV. They were handed out to close family and friends after her funeral in Windsor. 'The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death,' Mr Hanson said. 'White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried. "It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning.' In a final act of love, Princess Amelia is said to have pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father's hand as she lay dying, whispering the words now inscribed on the newly discovered ring – 'remember me'. A matching mourning ring was later bought by Queen Mary in 1935. Back in 1810, each ring cost 58 shillings to make. 'This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets,' said Mr Hanson. 'It's not just the monetary value – it's the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you.' Experts believe the ring could attract international interest when it goes under the hammer, thanks to its royal provenance and remarkable condition. Collectors of royal memorabilia are expected to watch the auction closely. Jewellery historian Alexandra Michell said: 'It's incredibly rare to find such a piece outside of established collections. "Mourning jewellery from this era, especially tied to a royal figure, is both historically and emotionally valuable.' The ring has now been placed in secure storage until its auction day to ensure its protection. It will feature as a highlight item in Hansons' Summer Fine Art Jewellery Auction. The auction will take place on 12 June 2025, and bids are expected to come in from across the UK and abroad. 5
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
200-year-old ring made for royal family discovered in charity shop
A rare mourning ring commissioned by George IV to commemorate his sister, Princess Amelia, is set to be auctioned after being purchased for just £15 at a charity shop in Leicester. The ring, dating back to the early 19th century, was brought to auctioneer Charles Hanson by a client who was unaware of its historical significance. Mr Hanson described the find as the most important he had encountered from a charity shop in a decade. The piece is now expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 at auction. 'I was stunned and dazzled,' Mr Hanson said. 'This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets. From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal royal history, commissioned by the royal family itself to honour a lost loved one. 'It's not just the monetary value, it's the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you.' Princess Amelia died in 1810 from tuberculosis. The ring was commissioned that same year and crafted by the royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. On her deathbed, Amelia is said to have pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father George III's hand, whispering 'remember me'. Those final words were immortalised in the ring's design, with the phrase inscribed beneath the image of a crown. Her father later lost his sanity, an event which became the subject of countless literary and cultural depictions of the 'Mad King George'. The ring is one of only 52 made, which would have been distributed among family and close friends after Amelia's funeral at Windsor. 'The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death,' Mr Hanson said. 'White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried. It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning.'
