The flying gloves that Prince Andrew wore during the Falklands War have been put up for sale with an estimated price of £2,000. The former prince, then known as the Duke of York, reached the zenith of his popularity after serving as a helicopter pilot in the 1982 conflict.
Charity auction donation
Andrew donated the leather gloves to a charity auction that same year, benefiting the Falklands Appeal and South Atlantic Fund. The signed gloves are now being offered by Reeman Dansie auctioneers in Colchester, Essex, with an estimated value between £1,000 and £2,000.
Accompanying the gloves is an apology from Andrew's equerry, explaining that he could not attend the charity auction in person as he would be with the Queen.
Service on HMS Invincible
Andrew learned to fly Sea King helicopters and joined 820 Naval Air Squadron on the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible in 1982. The ship was deployed to the South Atlantic that April following Argentina's invasion of the Falklands. During the war, he flew anti-submarine missions, missile decoy operations, and casualty evacuations. Commander Nigel Ward described him as "an excellent pilot and very promising officer."
Auctioneer's comments
The auctioneers noted that the gloves, which will go under the hammer on June 9, evoke a time before Andrew's fall from grace. Auctioneer James Grinter said: "The gloves are worn and dirty from flying operations. Andrew was highly regarded at the time. It would have been inconceivable then that he would be disgraced for his subsequent behaviour."
Andrew's name was removed from commemorative plaques in the Falklands after King Charles stripped him of his royal status last year.
