(TOP SPECTRE) – A remarkably preserved slice of cake from the historic wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has been sold for £2,200 ($2,800)
At an auction conducted by Reeman Dansie. The cake, now inedible but still intact, has survived nearly eight decades since the royal couple’s nuptials on November 20, 1947.
The 77-year-old slice remains neatly packaged in its original box, which features the silver insignia of then-Princess Elizabeth. Inside, an intricately designed doily still rests, adding to the relic’s charm. This box preserved the cake as it was sent from Buckingham Palace to Marion Polson, the housekeeper at Holyrood House in Edinburgh, Scotland, as a token of appreciation from the royal couple.
Along with the cake, Polson received a personal letter from Elizabeth. In the letter, the future queen expressed gratitude for a wedding present:
“We are both enchanted with the dessert service; the different flowers and the beautiful colouring will, I know, be greatly admired by all who see it,” she wrote. “This is a present which we shall use constantly, and whenever we shall think of the kindness and good wishes for our happiness which it represents.”
An Extravagant Royal Wedding Cake
The wedding cake served at Elizabeth and Philip’s wedding was a magnificent creation standing nine feet tall (2.7 meters) and weighing a staggering 500 pounds. The elaborate design featured the coats of arms of both families and intricate sugar-iced sculptures representing the couple’s favorite activities.
This towering confection yielded 2,000 slices for guests, with additional portions distributed to charities and organizations. A tier of the cake was even reserved for the christening of Prince Charles.
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A Taste of History on the Auction Block
Slices of this iconic cake have appeared at auctions before. In 2013, a piece sold for £1,750 ($2,300) at Christie’s. Similarly, cake from the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, preserved in plastic wrap within an old tin, fetched £1,850 ($2,565) at a 2021 auction. That slice was adorned with a coat of arms in gold, red, and silver, along with a decorative silver horseshoe and leaf spray.
Royal Memorabilia in High Demand
Collectors and royal enthusiasts remain fascinated by memorabilia tied to Britain’s royal family. Items like these wedding cake slices offer a tangible connection to historic moments, reflecting a timeless fascination with the monarchy and its enduring traditions.