‘The Crown’ props fetch big bucks

The UK sale of sets, costumes and props from the hit Netflix drama The Crown ended yesterday after several showpiece items smashed estimates and netted tens of thousands of pounds.

Hundreds of items – from a signed script to a sports car – featured in the award-winning show went under the hammer in a two-day London auction that included a live sale on Wednesday.

That saw a 1987 green Jaguar XJ-SC Cabriolet, used in The Crown to portray a similar model owned by Princess Diana, fetch £70 250 (about R1.7 million) – the highest-priced sale at the auction staged by Bonhams.

A reproduction of the Gold State Coach, used for British royal coronations, jubilees and other events, which featured in seasons three and six of the show, sold for £56 280.

Meanwhile a reproduction of Saint Edward’s Chair, known as the “Coronation Chair” and used in season one, went for £25 600.

Some of the array of costumes worn on-screen by the cast members also attracted sizeable bids, with Princess Diana’s clothes and jewellery drawing particular interest.

A custom-made replica of the ceremonial Coronation garments donned by Claire Foy, who plays Queen Elizabeth II at her 1953 crowning, fetched nearly £20 000. A version of Diana’s so-called “revenge” dress – a daring off-the-shoulder cocktail dress worn by actress Elizabeth Debicki in the fifth season – sold for £12 800.

Proceeds from Wednesday’s live auction will go towards establishing a scholarship programme at the National Film and Television School, “allowing the next generation of film and television makers to receive world-renowned training”, Bonhams said. –