A treasure trove of royal gifts given to the RAF pilot who repatriated the body of the Duke of Windsor is expected to make close to £10,000 when it goes under the hammer in Kent this month <sept 16>.
The gifts, including a pair of gold cufflinks presented by Queen Elizabeth II, were all given to Squadron Leader Denis Lowery (1925-2012) known in royal circles for his exceptionally smooth landings.
The gifts will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers’ silver, jewellery, watches and fine art auction at its Kent saleroom in Penshurst on September 16.
On May 31, 1972, Sqn Ldr Lowery flew the body of abdicated King Edward VIII to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire aboard a VC10 aircraft, three days after he died of throat cancer at his Paris home. The body was transported in an oak coffin covered in the Duke of Windsor’s personal standard.
The Duke of Windsor’s last journey was captured in the opening scene of episode nine of series three of Netflix’s The Crown.
His daughter Teresa Harland, who lives in Benenden in Kent, said: “The episode opens on the flight deck of the VC10 and features a conversation between the captain – my dad – and RAF Benson air traffic control. It is a strange and proud feeling to know the onscreen pilot was actually my dad.”
Known for his smooth landings, the squadron flew members of the royal family including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Princess Anne on their 1972 tour of southeast Asia.
In a glittering career Sqn Ldr Lowery, who described the late queen to his family as “utterly charming with piercing blue eyes”, flew a host of international dignitaries ranging from the Shah of Iran to Ken Dodd, as well as King Carlos of Spain, Betty Ford and Edward Heath.
After joining the RAF in 1947, the father of seven, joined No. 10 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire responsible for conducting VVIP (Very Very Important Person) including the royal family, government ministers and the prime minister.
In 1974 was invited by the Sultan of Oman and the royal court of Oman to captain the newly-commissioned VC10 for the country’s Royal Flight.
In his time overseas he flew members of the Omani royal family, the visiting Jordanian royal family and Middle Eastern dignitaries as well as European heads of state.
Teresa continued: “During that time my dad was the only pilot allowed to fly the Sultan of Oman’s mother. She was a nervous flyer, and my dad was known as a very steady pilot with a perfectly smooth landing. He also used to play classical music to calm her nerves.”
In the 1967 New Year Honours list he was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) for his service in the RAF. In 1985 he was awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel and awarded the Order of the Special Royal Emblem in the service of the Sultanate of Oman.
After retiring he moved back to Lechlade-on-Thame, in Gloucestershire and then to Shipton under Wychwood in Oxfordshire.
Hansons Auctioneers’ Justin Matthews, said: “It is a great honour to be selling these wonderful pieces which play homage to what a great pilot the squadron leader was and how well thought of he was by royalty around the world.”
Auction Details
Auction: Penshurst Silver, Jewellery, Watches & Fine Art Auction
Auction date: 16th September 2025 | 10:30am
Location: Hansons Kent Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
