Royal ring bought at charity shop could fetch £5k

The ring bears the words "remember me"

A rare ring made to commemorate the death of a Royal princess, which was picked up in a charity shop for £15, is expected to sell for up to £5,000.

The mourning ring was commissioned following the death of Princess Amelia, the youngest daughter of King George III, in 1810.

George V, her brother, commissioned 52 of the rings and distributed them among family and close friends after her funeral in Windsor.

One of the rings, purchased in a Leicester charity shop, is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 at auction.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said he was "stunned" by the discovery which he described as "the most important" charity shop find he had heard of in a decade.

The ring is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 at auction

It was brought to him by a client who purchased it in a charity shop, unaware of its historical value.

Princess Amelia died on 2 November 1810, aged 27, having battled tuberculosis.

The ring bears the words "remember me" after the princess reportedly pressed a ring into her father, King George III's hands, on her death bed, whilst she whispered those words.

Mr Hanson said: "This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets.

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