A rare opportunity to own a watercolour by Prince Charles (b.1948) presented itself when items belonging to the former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and his wife Mary were put up for sale at Hansons (20% buyer’s premium).

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | Gabriel Berner

Offered at Bishton Hall near Stafford on May 10, the 4in x 5in (10 x 12cm) watercolour of a chateau in Burgundy by the heir apparent to the British throne came with two autograph letters and was given as a gift to Mary Wilson.

Prince Charles wrote in one that he hoped the painting was not “too dreary and amateur for you – but it comes with heartfelt good wishes and kindest regards from the apologetic artist”.

The prince, who describes himself as an ‘enthusiastic amateur’, was taught to paint by several well-known artists including John Napper and Edward Seago. He is an honorary member of the Royal Academy and the Royal Watercolour Society.

While his prints crop up from time to time at auction selling for around £3000 apiece, his paintings are exceptionally scarce. According to The Telegraph, a report in 2016 showed he had sold copies of his watercolour paintings worth £2m since 1997.

Estimated at £2000-3000, the painting at Hansons was eventually knocked down at £10,500 to a buyer on thesaleroom.com. It is thought to be an auction record for a work by Prince Charles.