Photographs of the Duke of Windsor performing a Nazi salute have failed to sell at auction.

The pictures, which went on sale this week, show the Duke on an unofficial trip to Germany in 1937, raising his right arm in a “Heil Hitler” salute. The trip took place after he had abdicated from the British throne to marry Wallis Simpson.

The photos were estimated to sell for up to £2,500 but fell below their reserve price. Auctioneer Simon Bower said: “Our highest bid was £1,800, and internet bid from the US”.

The sale comes two weeks after footage of the Queen emerged showing her giving a Nazi salute as a child . Auction house Morgan Evans in North Wales said that the timing of the sale of the Duke of Windsor image was “pure coincidence”.