Pilot's royal treasures to be auctioned

Sqn Ldr Denis Lowery had flown members of the British royal family, as well as other dignitaries including the Sultan of Oman, King Carlos of Spain, former prime minister Edward Heath and comedian Ken Dodd

A collection of royal gifts given to an RAF pilot who repatriated the body of the Duke of Windsor is expected to sell for about £10,000 when it goes under the hammer in Kent.

It includes a pair of gold cufflinks, presented by Queen Elizabeth II to former Sqn Ldr Denis Lowery.

Sqn Ldr Lowery's career highlights also include transporting Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Princess Anne on their 1972 tour of south east Asia.

He once described the late queen to his family as "utterly charming with piercing blue eyes".

A pair of 9ct gold and enamel octagonal cufflinks with crowned ERII ciphers presented by Queen Elizabeth II

On 31 May 1972, he flew the body of abdicated Edward VIII to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire aboard a VC10 aircraft, three days after he had died of throat cancer at his home in Paris.

The body was transported in an oak coffin covered in the Duke of Windsor's personal standard.

The Duke of Windsor's last journey was featured in the opening scene of episode nine of series three of Netflix's The Crown.

The pilot's daughter, Teresa Harland, who lives in Benenden in Kent, said it was "a strange and proud feeling to know the onscreen pilot was actually my dad".

A pair of 18ct gold cufflinks with a diamond star in the centre of each was a gift from the Sultan of Oman

Squ Ldr Lowery flew other notable people including the Shah of Iran, Ken Dodd, King Carlos of Spain, Betty Ford and former prime minister Edward Heath.

Born in 1925, he joined the RAF in 1947 and served at No. 10 Squadron based in RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

This unit was responsible for transporting VVIP (Very Very Important Person) passengers, including the royal family, government ministers and the prime minister.

In 1974, the Sultan of Oman invited Squ Ldr Lowery to captain the newly-commissioned VC10 for the country's Royal Flight.

He flew the Omani royal family, the Jordanian royal family, Middle Eastern dignitaries and European heads of state.

Ms Harland said: "During that time my dad was the only pilot allowed to fly the Sultan of Oman's mother.

"She was a nervous flyer, and my dad was known as a very steady pilot with a perfectly smooth landing. He also played classical music to calm her nerves."

In the 1967 New Year Honours list, Squ Ldr Lowery was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) for his service in the RAF.

In 1985 he was awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel and the Order of the Special Royal Emblem in the service of the Sultanate of Oman.

A Middle Eastern-style 21ct gold necklace was also given as a present from the Sultan of Oman

After retiring, he moved back to Lechlade in Gloucestershire and then to Shipton in Oxfordshire.

Hansons Auctioneers' Justin Matthews said: "It is a great honour to be selling these wonderful pieces which play homage to what a great pilot the squadron leader was and how well thought of he was by royalty around the world."

The gifts are due to go under the hammer at the auction house's Penshurst saleroom on Tuesday.