A remarkable piece of royal history is about to hit the auction block, and it's a real doozy! Imagine owning a 77-year-old relic from the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. But this isn't just any souvenir—it's a piece of their massive wedding cake, a 500-pound, nine-foot-tall masterpiece.
This unique memento has a fascinating backstory. Originally, a slice of the cake was gifted to Cyril Dickman, a dedicated royal steward who served both the Queen and Princess Diana. Over the years, the cake has crumbled, but its significance remains. The auction house, Hanson's Auctioneers, is offering this piece of history to the highest bidder.
The royal wedding cake was an extraordinary creation. It boasted four tiers and was crafted with an abundance of ingredients, including 80 oranges, 660 eggs, and a generous splash of navy rum. The fruit was a special contribution from the Australian Girl Guides, and slices were sent back to Australia and other Commonwealth countries, earning it the charming nickname, 'The 10,000-mile wedding cake'.
Here's where it gets intriguing: the cake was adorned with intricate sugar work, and traditional lucky charms were hidden within. These charms, typically found in fruit cakes, include a silver coin, a thimble, a bell, a button, a boot, and a horseshoe. Imagine the excitement of discovering these treasures within a slice of royal cake!
This particular slice has been carefully preserved in a simple box, bearing the inscription, 'Presented to Mr. C. Dickman by Princess Elizabeth Nov 20th, 1947.' And it's not the first time a piece of this iconic cake has been auctioned. In 2025, a slice sold for £3,000, and other wedding memorabilia, like a bridesmaid's gown and the official wedding gift list, have also fetched impressive prices.
But here's a thought—is it ethical to auction off such personal mementoes? These items hold immense historical value, but they also represent intimate moments in the lives of the royal family. What do you think? Should these artifacts be preserved in museums or shared with the public through auctions? The debate is open, and we'd love to hear your thoughts!
