A pair of leather flying gloves worn by disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor went up for auction but received no bids, auctioneers have confirmed.
The gloves, which were worn by the former prince during his service as a helicopter co-pilot in the Falklands War, had been signed and donated after his military career ended. They were expected to fetch between £1,000 and £2,000.
However, auctioneers Reeman Dansie in Colchester said Andrew was “too hot to handle” and his notoriety likely deterred potential buyers. “There was no interest and no bids,” they stated.
“In the past items connected to Andrew have done well but his current lack of popularity shone through in this sale.”
At the same auction, a letter written by Princess Diana sold for £5,330.
Background on Andrew's military service and legal troubles
Andrew served as a Sea King helicopter co-pilot with the Royal Navy during the Falklands War, which lasted from April 2 to June 14, 1982. However, after his royal status was revoked last year, his name was removed from plaques in the British territory.
Andrew was arrested on February 19, 2026, over allegations of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police said the arrest followed a complaint about the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with Jeffrey Epstein. He was taken to a police station in Norfolk for questioning before being released under investigation.
Trade envoy role and ongoing denials
Andrew has also been in the news after it was revealed that his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had been “very keen” for him to be appointed as a trade envoy in 2000. According to a memo from Sir David Wright, then-chief executive of British Trade International, to then-Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, the Queen wanted her son to take on a “prominent role in the promotion of national interests.”
Mountbatten-Windsor served as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment until 2011. He denies any wrongdoing in connection to the police investigation and any personal gain from his role as trade envoy.
