Sudeley Castle raid: Sledgehammer-wielding burglars steal jewellery King Edward VII gave his mistress in raid on stately home

A stately home has been raided by a gang of sledgehammer-wielding burglars who stole "priceless" jewellery King Edward VII had given to his mistress.

The thieves forced their way into the exhibition area of Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire and stole serval valuable artefacts during the early hours of September 8.

Gloucestershire Police said four burglars were captured on CCTV approaching the property with a chair, sledgehammer and large garden or builder's bag.

They smashed a display case and fled the scene with the items in a 4x4 vehicle which was parked nearby.

Sudeley Castle's owner Lady Ashcombe said: "We are all saddened to learn of this burglary. There were beautiful artefacts on display for everyone to enjoy and were very precious to me personally."

The burglary in Winchcombe took place a week before a 25kg toilet made of 18-carat gold was stolen from Blenheim Palace in a similar raid 30 miles away.

On the Sudeley Castle raid, a spokesman for Lady Ashcombe said: "While the monetary value of the objects varies, their historical and cultural significance is priceless.

"They also hold irreplaceable sentimental value for everyone at the castle and Lady Ashcombe is deeply saddened by the incident."

A reward of £10,000 is being offered by insurers for the return of the items.

The stolen property includes:

- A presentation gold box, Swiss, late 18th century, with a miniature of Edward VII set in diamonds

- A presentation gold and enamel box with the Prince of Wales feathers set in diamonds

- A Cartier watch monogrammed AK (Alice Keppel) 1910

- A Faberge gold cigarette case set with diamonds

- A Faberge silver caviar box and silver mounted vodka glasses, c1910

- A gold snuffbox, Paris 1783

- A silver cigarette case by Marshak, Kiev 1908

- A book of extracts from Sydney Smith, given to Alice Keppel by King Edward VII

The collection was created by Lady Ashcombe's husband, the late Lord Ashcombe, grandson of Alice Keppel.

She was a British society hostess who became the mistress of Edward, Prince of Wales - the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Their relationship continued when he became king and ended with his death.

Detective Superintendent Steve Bean said: "This burglary happened under cover of darkness, but it is still possible that someone may have witnessed suspicious behaviour at or near the property in the hours leading up to it or afterwards, and may be able to help us identify the offenders.

"Clearly the stolen items are very distinctive and have a great deal of historical as well as financial value.

"They should be easy to identify and if anyone is aware of them being offered for sale I would urge them to report it to police as soon as possible."

The 15th century castle is the only private castle in England to have a queen buried in the grounds.

Queen Katherine Parr, the last wife of King Henry VIII, lived and died in the castle.