THE trumpet played as Meghan Markle walked down the aisle to wed Prince Harry is being auctioned on eBay for £5,000 – double what it was originally worth.
Trumpeter David Blackadder, 53, from Northamptonshire, listed the instrument he played at the Royal wedding last May alongside an order of service sheet on auction site eBay.
David played Handel's 'Eternal Source of Light Divine' on the 'prestigious' trumpet to a live audience of almost two billion people as the Duchess of Sussex walked arm in arm with Prince Charles.
And while the brass instrument, made by expert Matt Martin of Norwich Natural Trumpets, in Norfolk, holds precious memories for the musician, he says he doesn't want to see it just 'sitting in its case'.
David told Fabulous Digital: "I wanted to sell it because I’m sure the trumpet can give somebody a lot more joy than it currently does just sitting in its case in my practice room at home.
"Matt Martin, who made the royal wedding trumpet, has since made me an even better model which I will be using instead – so this trumpet really is just an instrument that I won't be playing anymore.
"I could've held onto it for my family, but I wanted to see if someone else could get some pleasure out of it rather than letting it sit around doing nothing or hanging on a wall.
Whether it be a fellow trumpet player, a musical enthusiast or a royal collector, David doesn't mind who purchases the instrument as long as it is 'looked after' in a good home.
"I got this trumpet just for the wedding and it's only been played that one time," he explained. "It was a short appearance but I'd say the most crucial point of the entire wedding, when the bride appeared.
"And I have lots of trumpets and I could have used any of those, but this one was ideal for the song I played so I chose it instead. While it all went perfectly, it's time to give someone else a turn."
Trumpets crafted by Matt Martin can sell for £2,000, with added extras like protective cases, choices of metals and personalised engraving adding to the bill.
But David noted that it was important to choose such a special trumpet for the wedding as he would have little time to warm up before standing to play for the royal family and their celebrity guests.
"We had to sit in the chapel for an hour before while everyone arrived, and I wasn't allowed to warm up before the bride came in," he said. "I just had to stand up and play. It was all over in a flash."
Hoping for someone to scoop it up for the £5,000 asking price, there is an extra sentimental touch to the trumpet that David thinks may add to its value.
"I had a very strange almost magical moment when I stood to play," he said. "I sensed a feeling of calm like my parents, who are no longer with us, were watching over me. It was very surreal.
"It was the biggest moment of my life, and I'll never have the chance to play for 1.9billion people live again, but I had this overwhelming sense that spiritually they were there in that moment with me."
While David hasn't got an ideal figure in mind above the £5,000 asking price, he hopes that someone is willing to splash out for what he describes as a 'piece of royal history'.
He concluded: "At the end of the day, it's just a trumpet – even if it is a very good one. The most important thing about it is all the things it symbolises from the wedding.
"You can't really put a price on it, but it's worth it for it's role with seeing Meghan walk down the aisle."
The trumpet has just under three days until the end of bidding, and it will be removed from the site on the morning on April 30 whether it has been sold or not.
So far, only two bids have been made on the trumpet, both for less that the £5,000 reserve asking price.
In other Royal news, the bookies have suspended the bets on Meghan Markle giving birth at Frogmore Cottage.
While sources have claimed that Thomas Markle won't been his grandchild following Meghan's royal birth.
And fans are convinced that Meghan will call her child Mary because of the engraving on her watch.
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