A SILK panel commissioned to hang in Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 has sold for four times its estimate.

The decorative panel was designed by Robert Godden, the rector of the Royal College of Art, and was produced in December 1952 by Warner and Sons in Braintree.

It was specially commissioned for the ceremony.

The silk was due to fetch £400-£600 but eventually went for £2,000 or £2,600 with buyer's premium.

The panel is also to stay in the UK after a fierce bidding war with a potential buyer from the US.

The special silk was hung alongside others, setting the scene for the ceremony, and can be seen in many historic photographs of the coronation.

It was the first heraldic emblem of the sovereign to show the Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as the principality of Wales.

Woven in the ‘Queensway’ pattern in blue, with gold lurex thread, it features a gold woven crown above a rose, thistle, leek and shamrock emblem within an oak leaf wreath on a pale blue background.

After the coronation the panels were gifted or sold to raise money for charity.

The Braintree panel, which was bought by its former owner’s grandfather, is framed and has a handwritten label on the back that says "Portion of the Damask Frontal used in Westminster Abbey on the occasion of the coronation of Her M. Elizabeth II, 2nd June 1953".

It was sold at an online auction by auctioneers Dreweatts.

Senior valuer Silas Currie said: “There was international interest before the sale and on the day, a lively and vigorous battle between UK and international buyers driving up the final price considerably over expectations.

“The item was purchased by a UK buyer, against an American underbidder.

“It was a timely item for Dreweatts to offer today and a ‘happy and glorious’ result for the vendor.

“We were honoured to offer such a rare historical souvenir, reminiscent of the very beginning of the Queen’s reign and how poignant, as we celebrate her platinum jubilee and her 70 years on the throne.”