Ceremonial items that were personally used by the late Queen Elizabeth II during significant jubilee celebrations are set to be sold at auction, with all proceeds dedicated to supporting cancer patients through Cancer Research UK. This charitable initiative comes at a poignant time, following cancer treatments received by both King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Historic Items Up for Auction
A total of six ceremonial pieces, most of which were meticulously designed by the Queen's long-serving pageant master Bruno Peek, will be offered for sale in a virtual auction hosted by Bonhams this March. Each item is estimated to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000, potentially raising a substantial sum for cancer research.
The Collection Highlights
The auction lot includes several historically significant artifacts:
- The Diamond Jubilee "diamond," which was prominently displayed at the Tower of London before being used by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.
- The millennium torch, employed to celebrate the dawn of the year 2000.
- The 90th birthday torch, utilized during celebrations at Windsor Castle in 2016.
- A torch from the Golden Jubilee in 2002.
- The Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Nations Globe, which featured in the Windsor Castle celebrations in June 2022.
Bruno Peek's Royal Connection
Bruno Peek, a 74-year-old from Gorleston in Norfolk, served as Queen Elizabeth's pageant master for an impressive four decades. During this period, he masterminded worldwide beacon tributes for her golden, diamond, and platinum jubilees, along with commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. His dedication earned him numerous royal honors, including an OBE in 2000 and appointments to the Royal Victorian Order.
Personal Memories of the Queen
Reflecting on his unique relationship with the monarch, Mr. Peek shared heartfelt anecdotes. He recalled a memorable moment at Buckingham Palace during the Diamond Jubilee beacon lighting, when technical difficulties arose. "I whispered to her – do you mind giving it a little push ma'am?" he said. "And she said 'I don't mind at all' – and gave it a good shove, to the cheers of the hundreds of thousands attending the concert in The Mall that evening."
His final encounter with Queen Elizabeth occurred in June 2022 at the Platinum Jubilee beacon lighting. "We all understood the Queen wasn't well and we weren't expecting her to make it," Mr. Peek explained. "But being the great Queen she was, she surprised us all and came. The last thing she ever said to me, after lighting the beacon, was 'Thank you Bruno.' It was a lovely moment which I will cherish for the rest of my life, but also very sad because a few days later she died."
Motivation Behind the Auction
Mr. Peek, who owns these ceremonial items, emphasized that he could never have sold them for personal gain. "Given that the King and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have both had cancer treatment, I felt it was appropriate to use them to raise money for Cancer Research UK," he stated. This decision aligns with the royal family's ongoing support for health charities and cancer awareness initiatives.
A Remarkable Personal Journey
Bruno Peek's life story adds depth to this charitable endeavor. Born to Polish immigrants, he was abandoned at just 14 months old alongside his twin brother George and raised in a children's home before being adopted at age four. Before discovering his passion for organizing historic celebrations, he worked various jobs, including in a bakery, a butcher's shop, as a pram maker, and as a builder's labourer, eventually training as a welder.
His career in event organization began over 40 years ago with the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston carnival, leading him to approach the palace with ideas that were warmly accepted. This auction not only honors Queen Elizabeth II's legacy but also highlights Mr. Peek's extraordinary dedication to creating memorable royal celebrations while now contributing to a vital cause.
