A rare Royal mourning ring – commissioned to commemorate the death of Princess Amelia, youngest daughter of King George III – has been discovered in a Leicester charity shop for just £15, and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, described the discovery as “the most important charity shop find I’ve heard about in a decade.” The extraordinary piece of history was brought to him by a client who purchased it in a local charity shop, unaware of its remarkable provenance.
“I was stunned and dazzled,” said Mr Hanson. “From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal Royal history – commissioned by the Royal family itself to honour a lost loved one. This mourning ring was created to commemorate the life and death of Princess Amelia, and it speaks volumes in its craftsmanship and symbolism.”
Born on 7 August 1783, Princess Amelia died on 2 November 1810 aged just 27, having battled tuberculosis. The ring bears the poignant words “Remember me” beneath a crown and was crafted by the renowned Royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. Only 52 of these rings were commissioned by her brother, the Prince Regent – later George IV – and distributed among family and close friends after her funeral at Windsor.
“The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death,” Mr Hanson explained. “White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried. It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning.”
Princess Amelia, the youngest of King George III and Queen Charlotte’s 15 children, was said to be her father’s favourite. Her death reportedly contributed to the King’s final and irrecoverable mental decline. In a final act of devotion, Amelia is said to have pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father’s hand, whispering “remember me” as she lay dying – words now immortalised in this design.
An identical mourning ring was acquired by Queen Mary in 1935. When originally created, the rings were priced at 58 shillings. Today, this rare jewel – purchased for just £15 – is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 when it appears in Hansons’ Summer Fine Art Jewellery Auction. “This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets,” Mr Hanson said. “It’s not just the monetary value – it’s the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you.”
Auction: Derby June Fine Art, Silver, Jewellery & Watches Auction
Auction date: 12th June 2025 | 9.30am
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
