A royal slice of history was recently on the auction block, capturing the fascination of collectors and royal fans alike. A preserved piece of wedding cake from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's wedding, dating back 77 years, was sold for approximately $2,800 at Reeman Dansie auction house. This sale not only highlights the enduring interest in the British royal family but also serves as a peculiar but sweet reminder of the couple's nuptials on November 20, 1947.
Originally weighing around 500 pounds and towering at nine feet tall, the wedding cake was crafted by the renowned cake designer, McVitie & Price. The extravagant creation was made for one of the most iconic royal weddings of the 20th century. While this specific piece was not meant for immediate consumption, it was rather gifted and stored away long before anyone could take it for a celebratory bite.
The piece of cake sold at auction came complete with its original packaging, which bore Elizabeth's silver insignia, and included a letter from the then princess herself thanking Marion Polson, her housekeeper at the time, for the thoughtful wedding gift. Such items often represent the wider culture surrounding royal traditions and the intimate acts of kindness exchanged within the royal household.
The cake slice was originally gifted to Polson as part of the wedding festivities. After being preserved for decades, the piece was rediscovered by her family tucked away under a bed and packed away in a suitcase. This curious find of cake not only piqued the interest of auctioneers but also inspired nostalgia among many who cherish royal memorabilia.
During the auction, initial estimates suggested the piece would fetch around £500, but bidding quickly escalated once collectors realized the unique opportunity presented. It came to the attention of James Grinter, who was overseeing the auction, who noted the rarity of this specific piece, stating it was "the first time we’ve sold one of the pieces from the wedding cake entirely complete with its documentation."
The auction was primarily conducted via phone, with the winning bid placed by royal aficionados from China. While the cake is visually unappealing—decomposing with age—it signifies far more than just the passage of time; it captures the joy and exuberance of love shared between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
The wedding itself was attended by nearly 2,000 guests, making it one of the most celebrated royal events of its time. Black and white photographs widely circulated show the couple basking in the glow of their newfound marital bliss, with the multi-tiered, ornately decorated cake as one of the central pieces of the lavish affair.
This unique auction event stands as just one moment within the extensive history of auctions dedicated to royal artifacts. The fascination surrounding royal weddings continues to fuel both curiosity and commerce, inviting fans to purchase relics from bygone eras. For example, just months earlier, another piece of royal memorabilia—a bridesmaid's dress worn at the wedding—sold for over $48,000, emphasizing the growing market for royal auction items.
Interestingly, this sale of wedding cake follows longstanding traditions wherein wedding cakes are preserved to be eaten during the couple's first anniversary or at the birth of their first child. Though Betsy Polson clearly sidestepped the typical ceremonial cake-cutting practices by hoarding this piece of dessert, the sentiment surrounding it still echoes the love and celebration intended on the original wedding day.
Royal traditions and practices often stir debates among historians and royal watchers alike, particularly concerning how memorabilia from royal events should be preserved, exhibited, and sold. While the cake might not be meant to be sampled—due to its age and state—it nevertheless offers fascinating insights relating to royal heritage, the joy of marriage, and the handpicked nuance of human experience.
For those interested enough to follow along, Grinter humorously declared during the auction preview: "I don't think I'd particularly want to eat it, I must admit." This kind of quip not only adds levity to the proceedings but also encapsulates the eerie yet intriguing nature of preserving something meant to be enjoyed in such merriment.
With the anniversary of the royal couple's marriage approaching, one can only wonder how this rich royal history will continue to be celebrated and cherished by fans worldwide, sustaining interest through assorted memorabilia and its unique auction history.
