Jewels owned by Duchess of Windsor sell at UK auction

Dazzling jewels and precious objects that provide a rare glimpse into the love affair between the former British monarch Edward VIII and his American wife have fetched a whopping 620,125 pounds at an auction here.
The top-selling lot at Sotheby's auction, yesterday, was a Cartier sapphire bracelet, designed as a series of oval links set with cushion-shaped sapphires in alternating light and dark shades of blue, that sold for 230,500 pounds.
The Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, was seen wearing this bracelet on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Paris in 1972, the last time the Queen was to see her uncle Edward, the Duke of Windsor, prior to his death.

The Duke of Windsor abdicated after 11 months on the throne in 1936 to marry Simpson, a divorced American socialite.
The auction which celebrated the lives and tastes of the couple showcased other jewels by Cartier, including a coral, emerald and diamond choker made in 1949 which sold for 110,500 pounds, an amethyst, turquoise and diamond bracelet which realised 27,500 pounds and an emerald, ruby and diamond brooch from 1930, with a gold 20 pesos coin at its centre that sold for 18,750 pounds.
Jewels by Van Cleef & Arpels that went under the hammer included a pair of enamel, coral and diamond clips which fetched 18,750 pounds.

Two cigarette cases gifted to Edward by his mother, Queen Mary, sold for 5,000 pounds each.
"Today's results show the longstanding fascination for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, their lives, their lifestyle and their exceptional taste," said Bryony Meredith, Head of Sotheby's London Jewellery Department.
"The offering included not only masterful examples of 20th century jewellery but also pieces whose intimate inscriptions trace the life of four generations of British monarchs and tell what is perhaps one the greatest love stories of our times, the romance that led Edward VIII to abdicate the throne of Great Britain," Meredith said.