A PAIR of royal silk knickers lost in Barnt Green, which were at the centre of a bizarre legal battle, will go on rare public viewing next month to raise money for charity.

The undergarments were worn by American socialite Wallis Simpson, whose marriage to King Edward VIII to become the Duchess of Windsor led to the 1936 abdication crisis.

After her death in 1986, the French knickers were passed to her lady maid, Pauline Armitage, and onto her friend Lady Barbara Millichip, who lived in Barnt Green.

Lady Millichip and her husband Sir Bert - a former Football Association chairman - raised funds for charity by charging guests 10p to visit their home to view the garments.

But after Lady Barbara died in 2015 and Sir Bert in 2002, their daughter Sally Simmons thought the air loom had been lost upon selling her mother's home.

They were then found by the new home-owner, Raymond Gibbs, who began a bizarre legal battle of the knickers when he refused to hand them back, only for his daughter to deliver them to Mrs Simmons when he eventually threw them away.

Mrs Simmons, who is living with secondary breast cancer and is being supported by St Richard’s Hospice, will now once again open the knickers to public viewing for charity.

All money will go to the hospice to thank them for the support they have given her.

Mrs Simmonds said: “The needlework on the lingerie is exquisite and they are so beautifully made. It’s incredible to think about them being worn by the duchess.

“St Richard’s has been marvellous for me, an absolute comfort blanket which is why we wanted to help raise funds for the charity.”

The viewing and a lunch will take place at The Wood Norton Hotel and Restaurant, near Evesham on Thursday, July 6.

Guests will be able to view a collection which also includes silk nightdresses, a negligee and kid gloves worn by the duchess and hear a talk by fashion researcher Susanna Cordner.

Tickets for the lunch are £30 each. To book visit strichards.org.uk/royal-lingerie or call 01905 763963.