A Piece Of Queen Elizabeth II's Wedding Cake Sells After 78 Years Of Savings

Queen Elizabeth II's wedding cake sold/PHOTO: Daily Mail

JAKARTA A piece of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's wedding cake from 1947 has been sold in an auction, after 78 years of being kept in a drawer.

The historic piece, which is part of a 500-pound cake (about 227 kg), was purchased by a British royal collector for 2,900 pounds or Rp. 63 million.

The piece of cake was originally given to Chief promise Officer F. Lownes, a member of the British Royal Navy, while attending a royal wedding reception at Buckingham Palace. Since then, the cake has never been eaten and remains intact in the original box, decorated with a crown emblem, the initials "EP" (Elizabeth and Philip), as well as a wedding date.

"This is a very rare piece and is most likely the only remaining Queen Elizabeth II wedding cake that still exists," said Gerry Layton, buyer of cakes as well as royal and businessman from Leeds, quoted from the Daily Mail page.

"His condition is very good because he has been well wrapped and stored for almost 80 years," he continued.

The 4-inch x 3-inch cake is part of 2,000 pieces of cake produced from the main 9-foot wedding cake. At that time, because Britain was still undergoing postwar savings, cake ingredients had to be imported from South Africa and Australia.

Surprisingly, Layton plans to eat part of the 78-year-old cake at a mock banquet on the Royal Yacht Britania royal ship to celebrate his 65th birthday next year.

"I will cut a third of this cake and burn it with rum so that the bacteria that may exist can die," said Gerry.

"If something happens to me, at least I will die in a Britannia style," he continued.

Pieces of cake were auctioned by Reeman Dansie Auctioneers in Colchester, Essex at an initial price of 2,000 or IDR 43 million, but the total price was 2.900 pounds, or IDR 63 million after the additional fee. According to auctioneer James Grinter, the cake is an invaluable legacy and very rarely appears on the market.

'Other like this is very rare and not often found. This cake comes directly from the original recipient's family in 1947. Lownes' son-in-law didn't even expect the historical and economic value to be that big." Grinter said.

The royal wedding cake was designed by the cake maker's head from McVitie & Price Ltd., and was first cut by Prince Philip using his ceremonial sword.

Apart from the guests, hundreds of pieces of cake were also sent to various organizations and charities around the world, each accompanied by handwritten records from the royal pair.