| By :
Martin Hofschroer
Designer jewellery owned by Wallis Simpson reached record prices at auction last month. Several specially commissioned pieces belonging to the Duchess of Windsor, whose relationship with Edward VIII resulted in his abdication, went under the hammer at Sotheby's in central London. An onyx and diamond panther bracelet became the most expensive piece of Cartier designer jewellery to be sold at auction when it fetched the record price of £4,521,250 having only been expected to make in the region of one million pounds. It was reported that Madonna expressed interest in the bracelet as she is directing a film about the abdication but the auction house did not reveal the identity of the winning bidder. The film is expected to be released next year and will feature Wallis Simpson, played by Andrea Riseborough, displaying her penchant for the finer things in life including designer jewellery. A Cartier clip incorporating rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds was another big lot on the night as it raised £1,721,250 with the total amount from the 20 pieces making almost eight million pounds. David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby's Jewellery in Europe and the Middle East, said that designer jewellery worn by members of the royal family will always be popular because of the prestige associated with the pieces. He said: "Wherever we have exhibited the jewels in recent months, whether it be Moscow, New York, Hong Kong or the Middle East, the response has been extraordinary, and the Windsor collection has been introduced to a new audience of buyers." There has been great speculation about what designer jewellery Kate Middleton will wear when she walks down the aisle to marry Prince William in Westminster Abbey next year. Carol Woolton, jewellery editor of Vogue, wrote in the London Evening Standard that whatever designer jewellery Ms Middleton decides to wear will be imitated on the high street and worn by the general public. She said: "One thing is certain, whichever jewels make it down the aisle at Westminster Abbey in April there will be hundreds of diamonique and crystal lookalikes produced within days. Kate's reign of jewels will have begun." The newspaper reported that Kenyan-born designer Vinnie Day is a favourite of Miss Middleton and her friends and could be inline to create the all important pieces for the big day. Fairtrade designer jewellery could also make an appearance at a royal wedding for the first time, claims Ms Woolton.
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