Dru Marshall, a 26-year-old from Romsey, Hampshire, was found guilty of fraud after falsely claiming to be a senior footman at Windsor Castle and listing an “antler walking stick” for auction.
The incident occurred shortly after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022, when Marshall listed the walking stick online, stating that it had been used by the Queen in her final years due to mobility issues. He claimed the proceeds would be donated to Cancer Research UK. The Queen was photographed with the distinctive walking stick alongside Prince George at the Platinum Pageant in June 2022.
Marshall’s fraudulent auction caught the attention of potential buyers, with bids reaching £540. However, he abruptly closed the listing after realizing police were investigating the scam.
At trial, Marshall pleaded not guilty to fraud by false representation. He offered various explanations, including claiming it was a bad taste joke or a social experiment to gauge attention. However, evidence from his online search history revealed his intention to defraud victims, with searches such as “the Queen” and “how to delete an eBay listing.”
Julie Macey, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex, stated, “Dru Marshall exploited the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in an attempt to deceive the public with a fake charity auction, driven by greed and a desire for attention.”
Marshall was fined £613 and handed a community order for his actions, which were ultimately thwarted before