A pair of leather flying gloves worn by Prince Andrew during the Falklands War failed to attract any bids at auction, with auctioneers citing his 'current lack of popularity' as the reason. The gloves, signed and donated by the former royal after his service as a helicopter co-pilot, were listed by Reeman Dansie in Colchester but received 'no interest and no bids'.
An auctioneer described Andrew as 'too hot to handle', noting that while items linked to him had previously performed well, his notoriety now deterred buyers. In contrast, a letter written by Princess Diana sold for £5,330 at the same sale.
Prince Andrew served as a Sea King co-pilot with the Royal Navy during the 1982 conflict. However, after his royal status was revoked last year, his name was removed from plaques in the Falkland Islands. He was arrested in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following a complaint about alleged sharing of confidential material with Jeffrey Epstein. He was released under investigation and denies any wrongdoing.
The auction highlights the ongoing reputational damage to Prince Andrew, whose association with Epstein and subsequent legal troubles have overshadowed his military service. The gloves, once a symbol of his wartime contribution, now serve as a reminder of his fall from grace.
