Sotheby's has announced that this fall it will be auctioning off jewellery once owned by Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, and her husband, the former King Edward VIII. The auction is expected to take place on November 30, 2010.
King Edward VIII is well known for abdicating the throne in order to marry his American mistress, Wallis Simpson. After their affair became public, Kind Edward confessed, "I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love." In 1937, the couple were married in France, and remained together until King Edward's death in 1972.
Twenty pieces commissioned by the controversial couple, some inscribed with personal messages, will be sold.
Items up for auction include an emerald, ruby and diamond broach created by Cartier in 1957 (pictured) and a set of 1935 Cartier diamond cufflinks, inscribed with the message "Hold Tight". The cufflinks, which date back to before the couple's affair was made public, are estimated to sell for £70,000 to £90,000.
A diamond charm bracelet which also dates back to 1935, and is inscribed with "God save the King for Wallace, 16.VII.36", is expected to fetch between £350,000 and £450,000.
Other items up for sale are an onyx and diamond bracelet from 1952 in the design of a stalking panther, and a flamingo clip from 1940 made of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, citrines and diamonds. Both pieces are the most expensive in the collection and could each sell for up to £1.5 million.
The 20 pieces are all owned by a single person who acquired the items in an auction in 1987.