Flying gloves worn by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor throughout Falklands War go on sale for £2,000

The flying gloves Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wore during the Falklands War have gone on sale for £2,000.

The ex-prince hit the peak of his popularity after piloting a helicopter in the 1982 conflict.

He donated the leather gloves to a charity auction that year for the Falklands Appeal and South Atlantic Fund.

The signed gloves are being sold for an estimated £1,000 to £2,000 at Reeman Dansie auctioneers in Colchester, Essex.

They come with an apology from Andrew’s equerry explaining that he could not attend the charity auction as he would be with the Queen.

Andrew learned to fly Sea Kings and joined 820 Naval Air Squadron on the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible in 1982. The ship was sent to the South Atlantic that April after Argentina invaded the Falklands.

He flew anti-submarine missions, missile decoy operations and casualty evacuations, and was described by Commander Nigel Ward as ‘an excellent pilot and very promising officer’.

Prince Andrew the Duke of York on board HMS Invincible during the Falklands War, in which he served as a helicopter pilot

Andrew’s signed gloves are being sold for an estimated £1,000 to £2,000 at auction in June

The auctioneers say the gloves, which go under the hammer on June 9, evoke the time before his fall from grace.

Auctioneer James Grinter said: ‘The gloves are worn and dirty from flying operations.

‘Andrew was highly regarded at the time. It would have been inconceivable then that he would be disgraced for his subsequent behaviour.’

Andrew’s name was removed from commemorative plaques in the Falklands after King Charles removed his royal status last year.