Prepare to be amazed as we delve into a fascinating piece of history! A 77-year-old relic from Queen Elizabeth's wedding is about to hit the auction block, and it's a real head-turner.
On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth, as she was then known, married Prince Philip. Since then, various artifacts from this royal union have found their way into auctions, from handwritten notes to wedding gift lists and even the bridesmaids' dresses.
But here's where it gets intriguing: one of the most unexpected mementos from this historic event is about to make its debut on the auction scene. Get ready for a slice of cake with a royal twist!
Hanson's Auctioneers is offering a piece of the Queen and Prince Philip's legendary 500-pound wedding cake. Over the past seven decades, this slice has transformed into a collection of crumbs, but its origins are nothing short of extraordinary. It was originally bestowed upon Cyril Dickman, a beloved member of the royal family who served as a steward to both the late Queen and Princess Diana.
This majestic cake, standing at a towering nine feet and weighing an impressive 500 pounds, was the centerpiece of the celebrations held at Buckingham Palace. With four tiers, it was crafted using 80 oranges, 660 eggs, and a generous three gallons of navy rum. The fruit was a gift from the Australian Girl Guides, and a slice, preserved with rum and brandy from South Africa, was returned to Australia.
A press release from 1947 provides a glimpse into the cake's creation: "Each piece of sugar work was made separately and then fitted into its place on the cake." It also reveals that "the conventional lucky charms are hidden in the bottom tier." Traditionally, fruit cakes include seven silver charms: a coin, a thimble, a bell, a button, a boot, and a horseshoe, all symbolizing good luck.
Slices of this magnificent cake were also sent to various countries and charities within the Commonwealth, earning it the nickname "The 10,000-mile Wedding Cake." This particular slice, preserved in a simple box, bears the inscription "Presented to Mr. C. Dickman by Princess Elizabeth Nov 20th 1947." In July 2025, another slice from the Queen's wedding cake fetched an impressive £3,000.
This isn't the first item from the late Queen's wedding to grace the auction stage. Just last year, a bridesmaid's gown, designed by Norman Hartnell, sold for a staggering £37,800. Worn by Lady Elizabeth Lambard, a childhood friend of the late Queen and a bridesmaid at the wedding, this ivory gown was a bespoke masterpiece.
And this is the part most people miss: the official list of wedding gifts, bound into a book, also sold for £11,000 in 2021. This meticulous record documented everything from the Nizam of Hyderabad's tiara to the 500 tins of pineapple gifted by the Premier of Queensland, ensuring no gift went unnoticed.
So, what do you think? Is this a fascinating glimpse into royal history or a bizarre relic of the past? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss!
