A rare and historically significant royal mourning ring, originally bought for just £15 from a charity shop in Leicester, is set to be auctioned with an estimated value of £3,000 to £5,000. The ring dates back to the early 19th century and was commissioned by George IV, then Prince Regent, to honor his younger sister Princess Amelia after her untimely death.
Auctioneer Charles Hanson was taken aback when a client brought the ring to him, unaware of its true importance. Hanson described the find as the most remarkable charity shop discovery he’d encountered in the past decade. “I was stunned and dazzled,” he said. “This proves that treasures can still be hidden in plain sight on our high streets.”
The ring holds not only monetary worth but also deep emotional and historical significance. Crafted in 1810 by royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, it commemorates Princess Amelia, who died of tuberculosis that same year. Her death profoundly affected her father, King George III, contributing to his mental decline, a story famously portrayed in cultural depictions of the “Mad King George.”
READ MORE: Gloucestershire Teens Lead the Way in Groundbreaking AI Symposium
READ MORE: Gillian Anderson ‘Profoundly Affected’ by Homelessness Memoir Inspiring The Salt Path Film
Amelia reportedly pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father’s hand on her deathbed, whispering “remember me.” This poignant moment is etched into the ring with the phrase inscribed under a crowned emblem.
Only 52 of these rings were made, gifted to family and close friends following Amelia’s funeral at Windsor. The ring’s white enamel, explained Hanson, indicates Amelia was unmarried when she died—white enamel symbolizing purity and innocence in mourning jewelry, contrasting with black enamel, which signified general mourning.
This extraordinary ring offers a touching glimpse into royal mourning customs and personal loss during a turbulent period in British history.