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Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to sell items from personal collection after moving out of Kensington Palace

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester - Chris Jackson Collection
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester - Chris Jackson Collection

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are selling a raft of items from their private collection after moving out of their spacious Kensington Palace apartment and downsizing.

The Gloucesters, who have lived at the palace since 1972, vacated the grand 21-room Apartment 1 in September and moved into a much smaller home in a former stable block within the grounds.

They have now put up for auction more than 200 items from their London home and the family’s Grade I listed country estate, Barnwell Manor in Northamptonshire.

The lots mainly comprise items collected by the Duke, who is the Queen's cousin, and his late parents, Prince Henry and Princess Alice, the former Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Highlights include a George V jewelled enamelled gold Royal presentation snuff-box, by Sebastian Garrard London and made to mark the coronation of Queen Mary and George V in 1911, which is estimated to fetch up to £50,000 and a silver cigarette-case given to Prince Henry by his brother Prince Albert, who later became King George VI, on his 18th birthday. It is inscribed “For Harry from Bertie 31.3.18”.

 A George V, 18 carat gold freedom casket - Credit: Guy Bell / Alamy Live News 
A George V, 18 carat gold freedom casket Credit: Guy Bell / Alamy Live News

The collection also contains a number of children’s books including first editions by A.A Milne, including a Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner as well as a doll's house dating to the second half 20th century, which is estimated to fetch up to £600.

The sale also comprises items from the Duke’s late sister, Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, and her family.

Christies said the auction, titled Property from Descendants of Their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary, which takes place on Friday, will “provide fascinating insights into the private worlds of two of their children and their families.”

It comprises 317 lots overall, with estimates ranging from £300 to £100,000, and includes an array of decorative arts from furniture and ceramics to clocks, books and paintings.

From the Gloucesters, a set of 19 George III Mahogany dining chairs, circa 1775, have a price estimate of between £60,000 and £100,000.

A George V Jewelled Enamelled Gold Royal Presentation Snuff-Box, Mark of Sebastian Garrard, London, 1911 - Credit: Malcolm Park / Alamy Live News
A George V Jewelled Enamelled Gold Royal Presentation Snuff-Box, Mark of Sebastian Garrard, London, 1911 Credit: Malcolm Park / Alamy Live News

A monogrammed 9-carat gold notebook holder and pen which belonged to the late Duke’s mother, Queen Mary, is estimated to fetch up to £1,800, while a George III mahogany library table, circa 1750, has a price of £30,000 and £50,000.

The late Duchess, who died in 2004 aged 102, was a keen needlewoman and a highlight of the sale is a set of four 18th century cockpen armchairs, received as a wedding present in 1935, the seats of which she embroidered over many years.

One of the chairs has been signed and dated in the stitching “Alice 1937”. They are offered as two pairs, each estimated to fetch up to £8,000.

Prior to her marriage, the then Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott travelled to Kenya and recorded her travels with a trusty Kodak camera, embossed Alice Scott, which is also for sale along with its leather case.