A HUGE diamond ring is set to fetch between £70,000 and £100,000 after going under the hammer later this month.

This is one of the many unique items found in the estate of the first speaker of the house, Betty Boothroyd upon her death in February 2023 at the age of 93.

The items up for auction at Special Auction Services in Newbury on January 23 are estimated to fetch £200,000 and also include her collection of frogs, photos, official brooches, and a variety of gowns and outfits.

The proceeds will be divided between six different charities.

Lady Boothroyd became the first woman to be elected Commons Speaker in the more than 700-year history of the role in April 1992, staying on until October 2000, before entering the Lords as a crossbench peer in January 2001.

Born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, Lady Boothroyd worked as a professional dancer from 1946 to 1948 and appeared in pantomime in London’s West End before going into politics, unsuccessfully contesting four parliamentary seats before being elected to West Bromwich (later to become West Bromwich West) in May 1973.

The ring was bought by Lady Boothroyd’s favourite jewellers J McCarthy Ltd and, at her request, the shop’s owner was looking for a diamond of a particular size.

When a much larger diamond than she was looking for came in, the owner phoned her to ask if he could bring it to “The House” as soon as possible although it was bigger than she had requested. Her reply was “Mr Mullings a diamond can never be too large!”

Other jewellery includes a pair of Oscar Heyman of New York diamond encrusted cuff earrings (estimate £4,000 to £6,000), an Omega De Ville 18ct gold ladies’ wristwatch (estimate £2,000 to £3,000) as well as a high carat gold and diamond House of Commons brooch which is expected to fetch £1,000 to £2,000.

A collection of her early political photos showing her campaigning for seats around the country is estimated at £100 to £120.

Highlights of her career in pictures will also go under the hammer including framed photos of her meeting Bill Clinton, with an estimate of £40 to £60, and Nelson Mandela estimated between £20 and £30.

Thomas Forrester, director at Special Auction Services, said: “Baroness Boothroyd was an engaging, entertaining and human politician who was respected across the House, she cut a dash of colour through a sea of dark suits with her fabulous outfits… many of these outfits will be sold in this auction.

“Madam Speaker and latterly Her Ladyship had a very full political working life as can be seen in the many photos which are a true record of a remarkable life.

“It is heart-warming to know that the proceeds of the auction will go to many worthwhile and deserving charities.”