The sale of the estate of the late Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first female House of Commons speaker, is expected to raise £200,000 for six charities.

This includes items from her long parliamentary career, which started as a Labour MP in 1973 before being elected speaker in 1992, as well as her home life.

This includes a diamond ring worth between £70,000 and £100,000 as well as an array of signed first edition books by among others former Prime Ministers John Major and the late James Callaghan.

In addition, her estate includes a black leather House of Commons dispatch box that is expected to fetch between £200 and £300.

Also involved in the auction is an official programme for the inaugural ceremonies of US presidents John F Kennedy and Linden B Johnson. This includes a dedication to Boothroyd on the front cover saying “To Betty Boothroyd, with very best wishes, John F Kennedy”.

Among the most unusual items is a Buckingham Palace shower cap worth an estimated £50.

The auction is to take place on 23 January and is being carried out by Special Auction Services.

“The sale will comprise items relating to the Baroness’s career as well as her home life and the money raised will be split between six charities,” said the auction house.

“As Betty had a remarkable interest in helping and supporting charities, her executors are hoping the money raised will be lifechanging, particularly for the smaller ones.”

Betty Boothroyd died in February 2023 at the age of 93.

---