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A Slice of Cake from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s Wedding 77 Years Ago is Up for Auction
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A Slice of Cake from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s Wedding 77 Years Ago is Up for Auction

A slice of wedding cake from the weddings of the future Queen Elizabeth And Prince Philip – exactly 77 years ago – it sold at auction for more than four times its expected value.

While the income from the piece of fruitcake found under the bed in a suitcase was estimated to be around $650, over $2,800 was obtained. BBC. The original cake was served to 2,000 guests at the wedding of then-Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on November 20, 1947; This cake was a gift from Marion Polson, housekeeper of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, from 1931 to 1969.

A bidder from China won by purchasing the “very, very rare” slice of cake over the phone.

“It’s really a little find, a little time capsule of amazing cake,” said James Grinter of auction house Reeman Dansie.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s four-tiered wedding cake.

Getty Images


After purchasing a “delicious” dessert course for the couple, Polson was given a slice of the cake as a thank you. He kept it until his death in the 1980s; until he was found under the bed with his other belongings. When the cake was found it was still in its original presentation box and came with a letter from Queen Elizabeth dated November 1947, the same month as her wedding day.

“My husband and I are deeply moved to know that you helped give us such a delightful wedding gift,” the future Queen wrote. (He would ascend to the throne less than five years later, on February 6, 1952.)

Elizabeth and Philip’s wedding day, 20 November 1947.
Getty Images / Hulton Archive

“We were both amazed by the dessert service,” former Princess Elizabeth continued. “I know the different flowers and beautiful colors will be a hit with everyone who sees it.”

The couple’s cake was 9 feet tall, 4 stories high and weighed 500 lbs.

Polson’s family contacted Reeman Dansie earlier this year, and Grinter said Polson’s slice of cake was the first piece ever sold “in its entirety.”

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Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London shortly after their wedding at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947.
Keystone/Getty

“This actually has original content that is very, very rare,” he said. “Remember, it was done during rationing time… They had the most amazing cake made for them. I’ve seen your photos; “It would fill half a room, it was absolutely huge.”

Elizabeth and Philip’s cake had four layers and was covered in alcohol, the BBC reported.

However, Grinter admitted that the cake was no longer in its best condition, saying: “I have to admit, I don’t think I would particularly want to eat it.”