Phew! £2,000 for filthy band Andy Murray threw to Camilla who was sitting in the Royal Box on Centre Court 

  • Duchess of Cornwall was given Andy Murray's sweatband last Thursday
  • She was sitting next to Philip Brook in the Royal Box when he caught it
  • Camilla later contacted Murray to ask that he choose a charity to aid
  • Bidding reached £2,050 last night and proceeds go to Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust

By Jonathan Petre for The Mail on Sunday

Published: 17:58 EST, 11 July 2015 | Updated: 09:47 EST, 13 July 2015

Who would bid more than £2,000 for a used, sweaty tennis wristband?

It sounds a ludicrously inflated price until one knows that the item in question was the one Andy Murray famously threw into the Wimbledon crowd last week, and which ended up in the Duchess of Cornwall's handbag.

The souvenir was put up for sale this week by the Duchess on the internet auction site ebay to raise money for charity, but not before she had got Britain's number one tennis player to autograph it.

The Duchess of Cornwall auctioned off the sweaty wristband she was given after Andy Murray's Wimbledon match last week 

The Duchess of Cornwall auctioned off the sweaty wristband she was given after Andy Murray's Wimbledon match last week 

The wristtband is being sold on eBay and attracted 44 bids last night, pushing it over the £2,000 mark

The wristtband is being sold on eBay and attracted 44 bids last night, pushing it over the £2,000 mark

The item, described by Clarence House as 'a piece of Wimbledon history', has attracted 44 bids last night, pushing it over the £2,000 mark - but time is running out as the auction closes tomorrow. 

The crowd was thrilled when Murray flung the distinctly damp band towards spectators as he celebrated his second-round victory over Robin Haase ten days ago,

There was even more delight when the Duchess accepted it from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club chairman Philip Brook, who had deftly caught it.

After screwing up her face in mock disgust, the Duchess slipped it into her handbag - a moment seen around the globe.

A description on the ebay site says: 'The humorous exchange was captured by photographers and TV crews and the Duchess has decided to put it on ebay for fans all over the world in the hope that it will raise money for charity.

The message goes on to say the 'used and match-worn' item, which comes with a certificate of authenticity, was currently being 'safely kept at Clarence House, the London Home of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.'

Camilla was given the souvenir by Philip Brooker who caught it when Murray threw it towards the Royal Box 

Camilla was given the souvenir by Philip Brooker who caught it when Murray threw it towards the Royal Box 

Royal insiders said the Duchess was 'very internet savvy' and understood the workings of ebay, thanks to guidance from her children.

The charity that will benefit, the Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust, was personally chosen by Murray after he was sent a list of 500 which the Duchess supports.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Duchess becoming patron of the charity, which raises funds to help the College improve animal health and care.

Murray, who was knocked out of the Championship in the semi-finals by Roger Federer, said he had not meant to hurl the sweatband towards the royal box.

'It wasn't at all on purpose, I was trying to throw it into where all of the fans were and it kind of bent right round to the left,' he said in a television interview.

'I saw (the Duchess) and Phil Brook just after the match when I was walking back to the locker rooms and I said to Phil 'I saw I hit you with the wristband.'

'The Duchess just opened up her bag and she had it.'  

Murray launched the sweat-soaked wristband into crowds on Court 1 following his victory over Haase 

Murray launched the sweat-soaked wristband into crowds on Court 1 following his victory over Haase 

Camilla held her souvenir in one hand, clutching a fan in the other
The royal delighted fans as she accepted the sweatband

The royal dutifully clutched the sweatband in one hand while she fanned herself in the stands on Thursday 

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