Bargain Hunt expert and auctioneer Charles Hanson opened up about meeting Queen Elizabeth II just two months before her death. The late Queen had ruled for 70 years, since February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI, who was crowned King after his brother Edward VIII abdicated in 1936. Despite her advanced years, the Queen’s death came as a shock to the public – just two days earlier, she had received both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss at Balmoral, officially appointing the latter as Prime Minister. Although her death certificate confirmed the Queen died of old age it was claimed she had been diagnosed with cancer before her death.
The BBC favourite has opened up about the late Queen as the antiques expert had the fortune of meeting her. She was best known for her strong sense of duty, her steadfastness, and her ability to maintain composure and dignity in public life but also for her dry wit. The 47-year-old has since spoken highly of the revered royal when he held an auction at Windsor Castle.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Charles said: “I was very lucky. In 2022 I conducted an auction for Her Majesty at Windsor Castle. That was two months before she died.”
The Bargain Hunt star said she revealed a soft side and added she was “amazing”.
“And she was so personable, polite, caring, thought-provoking and a gentle lady. And that was two months before she died. Amazing lady,” he added.
Charles’ comments come as the Royal Collection Trust made a huge announcement on Thursday (July 31).
April 21 2026 will mark 100 years since her birth, and the Royal Collection Trust has announced that Buckingham Palace will celebrate her life with a special exhibition.
They will be displaying 200 items – half of which will be displayed for the first time – charting the Queen’s history through her clothes and accessories.
Meanwhile, Charles will be fronting his new antique show Secret Life of the Auction House.
Viewers will get a chance to see Hanson auctioneers discover an array of rare finds from finding objects which belonged to a former Queen together with an Asian treasure found in Central London “which completely blew the auction apart”. To more heartfelt moments where he had to sell the contents of a client’s beloved sweet shop that closed down.
Secret Life of the Auction House airs on July 31 at 10pm on Quest