UK Duke’s Bridal Jewels May Sell for Millions
It turns out that some jewels given to the woman that King Edward VIII renounced the throne of the United Kingdom for will now be offered in an auction in London. The gems are expected to get as much as $5 million in bids. The woman in question, a divorcee named Wallis Simpson from the United States, was subject of a scandal that rocked Great Britain in 1936. King Edward VIII became the Duke of Windsor through this bold act of love and his new wife, the Duchess of Windsor after he abdicated the throne to what was at that time known as the British Empire. In all, the auction will feature 20 different pieces that belonged to Wallis and they will be sold on the 30th of November, 2010 at Sotheby’s famed auction house. According to the auction holders, the Windsors were very savvy jewelry collectors and the estate is expected to contain incredible pieces from Cartier, among other fine high class jewelers.
Not only are the pieces from their courtship days within the UK, they also added to the collection while living in both France and the Bahamas. As the Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewelry in the Middle East and Europe, the inscriptions on the jewelry alone are worth their weight in priceless treasures since they tell the tale of one of the 20th Century’s greatest love stories. Sotheby’s obtained the jewelry in 1987 in Geneva, Switzerland. Onyx and diamond bracelets are among those pieces being offered, one bracelet featuring a panther design and was made in 1952.