Historic Royal Jubilee Items to be Auctioned for Cancer Charity
Ceremonial objects used by Queen Elizabeth II during her landmark jubilee celebrations are set to be auctioned to raise vital funds for cancer patients. Six historic items, most designed by the late Queen's former pageant master Bruno Peek, will go under the hammer in March through a virtual auction hosted by Bonhams, with all proceeds donated directly to Cancer Research UK.
Collection of Royal Memorabilia
The significant collection includes the Diamond Jubilee 'diamond', which was first displayed at the Tower of London before being used by the Queen in 2012. Also featured are the millennium torch used to mark the start of the year 2000 and the torch lit for her 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle in 2016.
Additional items in the sale include:
- A torch used during the Golden Jubilee in 2002
- The Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Nations Globe, which formed part of celebrations at Windsor Castle in June 2022
- Various other ceremonial objects from royal celebrations
The items are expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000 each at auction, potentially raising substantial funds for cancer research.
Bruno Peek's Royal Connection
Mr Peek, who hails from Gorleston in Norfolk, served as Queen Elizabeth II's pageant master for an impressive 40 years. During this time, he organised worldwide beacon tributes for her Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees, as well as commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Reflecting on his decades of service, Mr Peek shared heartfelt memories of working with the monarch. "The Queen and the royal family showed me such kindness over the years," he said. "They were very encouraging and courteous. I felt privileged and honoured - and comfortable - in the Queen's company."
He recalled a particularly memorable moment at Buckingham Palace during the lighting of the Diamond Jubilee beacon when technical difficulties arose. "I whispered to her - do you mind giving it a little push ma'am? And she said 'I don't mind at all' - and gave it a good shove, to the cheers of the hundreds of thousands attending the concert in The Mall that evening."
Final Royal Encounter
Mr Peek last saw the Queen in June 2022 at the lighting of a Platinum Jubilee beacon. "We all understood the Queen wasn't well and we weren't expecting her to make it," he revealed. "But being the great Queen she was, she surprised us all and came. The last thing she ever said to me, after lighting the beacon, was 'Thank you Bruno'. It was a lovely moment which I will cherish for the rest of my life, but also very sad because a few days later she died."
Charitable Motivation
Explaining his decision to auction the historic items for charity, Mr Peek stated: "I own these items but I could never have sold them for personal gain. Given that the King and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have both had cancer treatment, I felt it was appropriate to use them to raise money for Cancer Research UK."
This thoughtful gesture connects the royal memorabilia directly to current royal family health challenges, adding deeper meaning to the charitable auction.
Remarkable Career Recognition
Mr Peek, who staged the Millennium Beacon project, received significant recognition for his service. He was appointed an OBE in 2000 and later became a Member of the Royal Victorian Order for organising the Golden Jubilee beacons in 2002. His promotion to Lieutenant of the RVO followed for repeating the achievement at the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and he also staged the Queen's 90th birthday beacons in 2016.
In 2022, he was recognised again for his service during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and became a Commander of the RVO, marking the culmination of his distinguished career.
Personal Journey
Born to Polish immigrants, Mr Peek and his twin brother George faced early challenges, being abandoned at 14 months and raised in a children's home before being adopted at age four. Before discovering his passion for event organisation, he worked various jobs including in a bakery, a butcher's shop, making prams, and as a builder's labourer before training as a welder.
His career path changed dramatically after organising the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston carnival more than 40 years ago. Realising his passion for orchestrating historic celebrations, he later approached Buckingham Palace with ideas that were accepted, beginning his long and successful association with royal events that would span four decades.
The upcoming auction represents not just a sale of historic objects, but a meaningful connection between royal history, personal dedication, and charitable giving that will benefit cancer research for years to come.
