Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's dirty gloves fail to garner any bids at auction

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's dirty gloves fail to garner any bids at auction A pair of gloves belonging to the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who manned helicopter operations during the 1982 Falklands conflict, failed to attract a single bid at auction A pair of flying gloves that were worn by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, when he manned helicopter operations during the conflict in the Falklands in 1982, have failed to attract a single bid at auction. The signed pale leather gloves, which are still covered dirt from helicopter operations more than 40 years ago, had been valued at between £1,000 and £2,000 but did not reach their undisclosed reserve at Reeman Dansie in Colchester, Essex. The gloves had been held by their original buyer for more than four decades after the then-prince had donated them to a charity sale following the war. James Grinter, the auctioneer handling the sale, noted that the gloves showed clear signs of wear from the former duke's time in the cockpit. He also said that he believes the gloves may have sold for a hefty fee, if it wasn’t for the numerous allegations of misconduct and investigation into the former prince. "Andrew was at the height of his popularity during the Falklands War and very highly regarded at the time," he said. "It would have been inconceivable then that he would be disgraced for his subsequent behaviour." Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is under investigation by Thames Valley Police, who arrested the disgraced royal on his 66th birthday in February over suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest was a result of allegations that the former duke handed over confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he was serving as the UK trade envoy in the early 2000s. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing. In May, Thames Valley Police announced they were widening their investigation into the former prince, as officers were said to be examining “a number of aspects of alleged misconduct” including sexual wrongdoing and corruption. Andrew has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Given the ongoing investigation and scandal surrounding King Charles’ younger brother, auctioneer James Grinter believes his drastically diminished reputation is to blame for the gloves not selling. "There was no interest and no bids," he said. "I think he is too hot to handle for the market at the moment." In contrast, a letter written by the late Princess Diana, which was penned a week after her famous Panorama interview, fetched £5,330 at the same sale. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor served with 820 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Invincible, the aircraft carrier deployed to the South Atlantic following Argentina's invasion of the islands. During the conflict, he piloted Sea King helicopters for anti-submarine patrols, Exocet missile decoy duties and casualty evacuation missions. He continued serving on Invincible until 1983, with Cdr Nigel Ward describing him as "an excellent pilot and a very promising officer". When Andrew was stripped of his royal titles in October, his name was removed from commemorative plaques in the Falkland Islands.