The four day mid-March Amsterdam attic sale of the effects of Queen Juliana by Sotheby's saw estimates smashed and every lot sold after 10,000 people had come to the viewing. The sale total was €7m, of which €5m will go to charity. Patrick van Maris, Managing Director of Sotheby's Europe and the Middle East, said: "After four days and over thirty-four hours of auctioneering, all 10,000 items offered in 1,535 lots have found a new home, resulting in a white-glove sale. The illustrious provenance of each and every object attracted competitive bidding from fervent admirers of Queen Juliana, not only in the Netherlands, but also from around the world."
 
Although cutlery, crockery and paintings featured strongly, among the lesser lots were a set of a copper pot, iron pot, and wooden pot 67cm high, estimated at €100 which sold for €750. Fourteen pelmet lots ranged in price from €200 to a pair of carved giltwood Louis XVI style, 2nd half of 19thC which sold for €3,000 the pair. A Dutch enamelled metal water jug, 33cm high, monogrammed 'E' and 'Paleis', sold for €2,125 against a €100 estimate. A red Dutch childrens garden bench 100cm long estimated at €50 made €1,250.
 
The property in the auction was in part acquired by Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, but the larger part was accumulated over the last 150 years by inheritance from Kings Willem II and III, Queen Emma and Queen Wilhelmina. The inventory marks and labels on many of the pieces show that they were used in seven Royal Palaces and Residences throughout the Netherlands.
 
The bulk of the charity money will go to the late Queen Juliana's pet charity, The Red Cross, with the remainder going to her four children's charity choices: The Princess Beatrix Fund which is the choice of Queen Beatrix, Princess Irene chose The NatureCollege, Princess Margriet chose the Red Cross and the Princess Christina Concours was chosen by Princess Christina.