The morning suit worn by Sir Cliff Richard to receive his knighthood more than 30 years ago is set to make hundreds at auction.
Sir Cliff was the first British rock star to be knighted in 1995, later claiming he found the ceremony at Buckingham Palace “nerve-racking”.
The three-piece’s current owner, 78-year-old Carol Hewson from the New Forest, bid on the suit at a Children in Need fundraiser in the year of the knighthood.
She said: “I have liked Sir Cliff ever since I was a girl in the 1950s. I’ve met him three times and he is the most lovely and charming person you could ever hope to meet. He is also a terrific singer.”
Now she and her husband are downsizing to begin a new life near their daughter in Brisbane, Australia.
She said: “I thought the suit would find a better home here, rather than in Australia. Although, having said that, I have already joined the Sir Cliff Richard Fan Club of Australia, so there must be fans Down Under.”
Mrs Hewson kept the suit in a wardrobe taking it out to wear it at fancy dress parties, as well as donning the waistcoat at a Cliff Richard concert in London in 2019.
She said: “He is taller than me, so I had to turn the cuffs up, other than that it fit rather well.”
At the age of 55, Cliff Richard had already enjoyed nearly four decades at the top of the charts when he was knighted by the late Queen.
It marked a watershed moment when pop stars, previously shunned by the honours system, were officially accepted.
Photographs taken on the day show Sir Cliff wearing the dark morning suit with a silver-grey tie as he arrived at Buckingham Palace for the historic ceremony.
Speaking afterwards, he described the event as “deeply moving” and “the ultimate honour”.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, where it goes under the hammer on June 22, expected to make £300-£400, said: “Whether you are young or old, there can’t be a person in the UK who hasn’t appreciated the music of Cliff Richard over the years.
“This is a great honour to be finding a new home for this symbol of a remarkable cultural moment. This was the day a performer who had been associated with the rebellious birth of British rock and roll knelt before the monarch to become Sir Cliff Richard.”
Cliff Richard, born Harry Rodger Webb on 14 October 1940 in Lucknow, in India.
With total sales of more than 21.5m singles, he is the third-top-selling artist in UK singles chart history, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
Often dubbed Britain’s answer to Elvis Presley, Cliff’s breakthrough came with the 1958 hit Move It, widely regarded as Britain’s first authentic rock ’n’ roll record.
He went on to enjoy a remarkable chart career spanning more than six decades, with major hits including Congratulations, Living Doll, The Young Ones, Summer Holiday, Devil Woman, We Don’t Talk Anymore and Mistletoe and Wine.
Auction Details
Auction: Derby June Three-Day Antiques & Collectors Auction: including Pre World Cup Football Sporting Items
Auction date: 18th – 22nd June 2026 | 10am
Location: Hansons’ Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
