Queen Elizabeth 1947 Wedding Cake Slice Auctioned for Rs 2.40 Lakh: A Rare Piece of Royal History
Queen Elizabeth 1947 Wedding Cake Slice: A rare slice of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s wedding cake from 1947 has been auctioned for a remarkable £2,200 (approximately Rs 2.40 lakh). Preserved for over 77 years, this “very rare slice” of the royal wedding cake recently went up for sale, showcasing a piece of British history that has fascinated collectors for decades.
Original Packaging Preserved Since 1947
The cake slice, kept in its original box, is adorned with a silver emblem of Princess Elizabeth, as she was then known. Inside the box, an intricate doily helped preserve the cake’s delicate state over the decades, though it’s no longer considered edible. This particular piece was originally gifted to Marion Polson, who served as a housekeeper at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from 1931 to 1969. Buckingham Palace presented the cake slice to Polson as a token of gratitude.
A Royal Wedding Gift with Personal Touches
In addition to the cake, Polson received a personal, typewritten letter from Princess Elizabeth, expressing appreciation for a wedding gift given by Polson and the staff. “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,” reads the note, signed by the future queen herself. The letter holds sentimental value, further amplifying the significance of this cake slice for collectors of royal memorabilia.
The Grand 1947 Wedding Cake
The wedding cake from the royal nuptials of November 20, 1947, was an elaborate masterpiece. Standing an impressive nine feet tall and weighing 500 pounds (227 kg), the cake was decorated with coats of arms from both families and included sugar sculptures symbolizing the couple’s shared interests. With a whopping 2,000 slices prepared, portions were shared not only among guests but also distributed to charities. A single tier was preserved for the christening of their first child, Prince Charles.
Demand for Royal Memorabilia
Royal wedding cake slices from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding have been highly sought after over the years. In 2013, a slice from the same cake was auctioned by Christie’s, fetching £1,750 (around Rs 1.91 lakh). These historical keepsakes remain cherished by collectors around the world, serving as unique mementos of one of Britain’s most iconic weddings.
