London, Six unique artifacts used by Queen Elizabeth II to mark historic milestones, are to be sold at Bonhams in an online sale running from 3rd to 23rd March on bonhams.com to raise funds for Cancer Research UK
The items, which have featured in royal ceremonies and landmark showbusiness events, have indivdual estimates of £20,000 - 30,000.
Each of the items was designed by Bruno Peek, who, for 40 years, stood at the Queen's side as she used them. Now retired from his role as Pageantmaster, and with the approval of the Palace - Bruno has decided to sell, with proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.
The former welder, from Gorleston, Norfolk, said: "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." In an unexpected twist of fate, Bruno himself was diagnosed with blood cancer two months ago. He said he has been approached by a foreigner offering him 'very significant' sums for the items, but declined the offer.
Matthew Haley, Managing Director of Bonhams' Knightsbridge saleroom, said: "Bonhams is thrilled to be able to support the invaluable work of Cancer Research UK by applying our auction expertise to these remarkable torches. Her late Majesty was so cherished and respected worldwide, and we expect bidding from all four corners of the globe."
Highlights of the dedicated sale include:
• The Millennium Torch, a ceremonial torch used to celebrate the arrival of the year 2000.
• The Golden Jubilee Torch, used at the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
• The Trafalgar Weekend Torch, used at HMS Victory, Portsmouth, in 2005.
• The Diamond Jubilee 'Diamond', displayed at the Tower of London before its use by the Queen in 2012.
• The 90th Birthday Torch, used at Windsor Castle in 2016.
• The Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Nations Globe used, at Windsor Castle in June 2022.
Sophia France, Cancer Research UK Fundraising Manager for Norfolk, said: "We're delighted that Bruno has chosen Cancer Research UK to be the recipient of the sale of these beautiful and historic artifacts, it is extremely generous of him. We believe there will be interest from around the world in these unique items, all of which were used by Queen Elizabeth II
"Nearly 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime* and the money raised at the Bonhams sale will undoubtedly help us in our vision of a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
"Over the past 50 years, our work has helped double cancer survival in the UK.* But there's so much more to do. Day by day, our researchers are making this vision a reality, thanks to our dedicated supporters, partners, donors, fundraisers, volunteers and staff."
Bruno Peek has had a remarkable and entirely unexpected career. He could never have dreamt that one day he would regularly find himself, on the world stage, the unknown face next to the Queen, Prince Phillip and the future King.
His story is all the more remarkable, given his start in life. He and his twin brother George were born to Polish immigrants, abandoned at 14 months old and brought up in a children's home, until they were adopted, aged four, by 'wonderful Christian parents' Leslie and Mildred Peek. Bruno proved resilient, coping with the loss of his twin to suicide, and carved out a life for himself, working in a bakery, in a butcher's shop, making prams, as a builder's labourer, and finally training as a welder. It was that final role which, decades later, led him to Buckingham Palace, and the role of Pageantmaster.
"Pageantmaster is a wonderful and colourful role, going back centuries," said Bruno."It has been an honor and a privilege organising national and international events, many of them for the late Queen Elizabeth."
Among them were the Queen's Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees and her 90th birthday. For them he designed and had made the unique centrepieces for the Queen's use.
Bruno's move into royal circles began after he organized the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston carnival more than 40 years ago."I was still a welder at that point, but I felt God had given me the gift of bringing people and communities together to celebrate historic occasions. It fired me up and I thought, this is what I should be doing, organising celebrations," he said.
As he developed his skills, he approached the Palace with ideas, which were accepted, including marking the new millennium and the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar in 2005, at which the Queen lit the National, Principal Beacon alongside HMS Victory in Portsmouth.
He has a vast collection of framed photographs of himself with the Queen and other members of the Royal family, cataloguing how and where each item was used. He said: "The Queen and the royal family showed me such kindness over the years. They were very encouraging and courteous. I felt privileged and honored - and comfortable - in the Queen's company." His office is lined with glass cases of ceremonial torches and framed photographs of memorable occasions.
Of the artifacts going to auction, his personal favorite is the Commonwealth Nations Globe which features a globe of Commonwealth countries in silver and a map of the UK in platinum, made to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Despite the pomp and circumstance of the very formal situations, Bruno and the Queen often found time for a little joke. During the lighting of the Diamond Jubilee beacon at Buckingham Palace, there was a hitch with the equipment. Bruno said: "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."
Bruno has many cherished memories of his time with the royal family. During the Diamond Jubilee concert, he found himself on stage, sandwiched between the Queen and showbiz royalty, including Sir Elton John, Sir Paul Mc Cartney, Tom Jones, Annie Lennox, Will.i.am and Jools Holland."I was invited to receptions and garden parties at the palace and I once had the honor of having dinner on the Royal Yacht Britannia with Prince Phillip," he said. "Also, Moira and I got married in the Queen's Chapel of The Savoy, which was such an honor."
He is immensely proud of having four British honours, an OBE in 2000, followed by the Royal Victorian Order during the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. Then came a lieutenant of the RVO in 2012 and a Commander of the RVO by the King in 2022.
"Being honored, in person - twice by the Queen and once by the King, is amazing! I could never have dreamed this could happen to me, especially as I was born Polish," he said. (The fourth honor was presented by a third party).
He was also awarded the Order of Polonia Restituta (Order of Restored Poland) in 1988 by the President of Poland, an honor he also wears with pride. It is awarded for outstanding achievements in fields including culture, art, education and international relations. Bruno is proud of his Polish heritage, his coat of arms features a Polish Bear.
The last time Bruno saw the Queen was at the lighting of the Principal Platinum Jubilee Beacon at Windsor Castle on 2nd June 2022. "We all understood the Queen wasn't well and we weren't expecting her to make it," he said. "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.
"I've had an amazing 40 plus years. The Queen and the Royal family gave me the credibility to carry on," he added.
As well as raising money for Cancer Research UK, Bruno is also keen to stress the progress being made in treatment and research. "I want people to know that even though you are going through cancer treatment, you can still live your life. I'm currently organising a Remembrance Day event called the Lamp Light of Peace. I'm continuing to do that and hope to be there to see it through in November this year," he said.
(Press Release)
