Colchester: Auction date is set for Duke of Windsor’s ring (From Gazette)

Colchester: Auction date is set for Duke of Windsor’s ring

10:20am Wednesday 12th November 2008

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A ROYAL wedding ring is up for grabs – courtesy of a Clacton woman’s heirs.

A specialist sale at the Colchester’s Reeman Dansie auctioneers later this month will see 320 lots with royal connections sold.

Among the star items is the Duke of Windsor’s wedding ring, which belonged to the late Rose Russell, of Clacton.

The duke had ruled as Edward VIII, but abdicated the throne in 1937 to marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Auctioneer James Grinter said: “Mrs Russell had won it in a Daily Mail competition after it was last auctioned in 1987.

“It’s a hoop ring inscribed to his wife that he used to wear every day on his little finger.”

Also expected to attract a lot of interest at the sale on November 24 are letters from the Prince and Princess of Wales to their chef, Mervyn Wycherley.

Mr Wycherley cooked for the ill-fated couple on their Mediterranean honeymoon cruise in 1981, and continued to work for the Princess after she separated from Prince Charles.

A viewing takes place on November 22 between 9am and 1pm, and from 9am on the day of the sale.

For more information, see the Gazette on Wednesday.

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