200-year old royal ring bought from charity shop for £15 valued at eye-watering sum

A rare royal ring that was - and is said to be worth an eye-watering sum. The ring, which dates back to the early 19th century when it was , was used to commemorate his younger sister Princess Amelia after her death in 1810.

It was discovered when a client brought the item to auctioneer Charles Hanson, who was unaware of its significance. The ring was bought from a charity shop in Leicester.

The ring is expected to be worth between £3,000 and £5,000, and Mr Hanson described it as the "most important charity shop find" he had heard about in a decade.

He said: "I was stunned and dazzled. This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets.

"From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal royal history, commissioned by the royal family itself to honour a lost loved one."

Mr Hanson added: "It's not just the monetary value, it's the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you."

Princess Amelia died aged 27 from tuberculosis, leading to her father George III's loss of sanity. The devastating event later became the subject of countless literary and cultural depictions of the 'Mad King George'. The ring, which was commissioned that same year, was crafted by the royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell.

Whilst on her death bed, Amelia is said to have pressed a ring, which contained a lock of her hair into her father's hand, whispering "remember me".

Amelia's final words were immortalised in the ring's design, with the phrase inscribed beneath the image of a crown.

Explaining further about the ring, he said: "The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death.

"White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried. It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning."