Queen Elizabeth's Wedding Cake Remains Found Under Bed

The wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Philip (Instagram/@elizabethandphilip_4eve)

JAKARTA - A piece of wedding cake from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's wedding ceremony, which took place 77 years ago, has sold more than four times the value estimated in the auction.

After being found under the bed in a suitcase, the fruit cake pieces sold for more than 2,800 US dollars or Rp44 million. Previously, it was estimated that it would only sell for around 650 US dollars or Rp10 million, according to a BBC report.

Reported by VOI from the People's page on Thursday, November 7, 2024, the original cake is large and can be divided into 2,000 guests at Princess Elizabeth's wedding with Prince Philip on November 20, 1947.

The cake was a gift from Marion Polson, a household administrator at the Holyoodhouse Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland from 1931 to 1969.

An bidder from China managed to win the "very rare" cake after buying it over the phone.

"This is an extraordinary small discovery, a time capsule in the form of an extraordinary cake," said James Grinter of Reeman Dansie's auction house.

After buying the couple a set of 'fun' desserts, Polson was given a piece of the cake as a sign of gratitude.

He kept it until he died in the 1980s, when the cake pieces were finally found under the bed with his other belongings.

When found, the cake was still in its original recitation box, complete with a letter from Princess Elizabeth written in November 1947, the same month as her wedding day.

"My husband and I are very touched to learn that you also gave us this pleasant wedding gift," wrote the Queen, who then took the throne on February 6, 1952, less than five years after her marriage.

"We are both very fascinated by the set of desserts. There are various flowers and beautiful colors, I am sure they will be admired by anyone who sees them." he continued.

The bride's cake was nine feet tall and weighed 500 pounds or about 227 kg. The Polson family contacted Reeman Dansie earlier this year, and Grinter said the pieces of Polson's cake were the first pieces to be sold "in intact condition".

"This cut actually still has the original content, which is very rare," said Grinter.

"Keep in mind, this cake was made during the food savings period. They made a very magnificent cake. I've seen the photos, the cake can even fill half the room, really very large." he continued.

Elizabeth and Philip's wedding cake consists of four layers and is covered with alcohol. However, Grinter admitted that the condition of the cake was not as good as it used to be.

"I don't think I want to eat it, I have to admit that." he continued.