A Slice Of King Charles And Princess Diana's Wedding Cake Sold For $190
Who would have thought that owning a piece of royal history could be so affordable? Definitely not us! A slice of cake from Prince Charles and Princess Diana's royal wedding was sold in a whirlwind auction yesterday. Although The New York Post had reported that the cake was expected to sell for upwards of £300 ($339), that wasn't the case. Here's what you need to know about the tasty transaction.
Between their delicate designs and sheer magnitude, wedding cakes are celebratory show-stoppers. Royal renditions are just all the more impressive. To commemorate King Charles and Princess Diana's wedding in 1981, Vocal Media explains that the official pudding served was a $40,000 ivory-iced fruitcake that stood five feet tall, featuring the royal coat of arms, alongside bounties of roses, orchids, and lilies. There were also 22 other cakes baked to satisfy the masses — slices of which have since emerged for auction.
Though it might seem strange to bid on a decades-old confection, collectors have their reasons. According to Heritage Auctions, owning a piece of history (edible or otherwise) is rooted in nostalgia, status, allegiance, or sheer interest. But, while vintage goods are often big-ticket items, that's not always the case.
A modest price, for a modest slice
While several royal memorabilia were up for auction by the British auction house Dore and Rees, Lot 31 (a.k.a the slice of royal wedding cake) sold for a modest $190 — a sum that falls short of the previously estimated price. Preserved by former royal employee Nigel Ricketts, the untouched dessert was sold in its original pearly white box marked with the wedding date and the words "Buckingham Palace."
But, despite being kept in pristine condition, Today speculates that the cake may have sold for a modest price as it may have come from the side or top of one of the couple's many wedding cakes — a far cry from the decorated, top tier slice that sold for $2,500 last year. The most pressing question, however, is whether or not the cake is edible. Given that the royals opt for fruitcake, the Washington Post states that with its unique combo of ingredients (dried fruit, nuts, sugar, and alcohol), there's little moisture for bacteria to grow, meaning that the cake remains totally edible. Whether or not the 41-year-old cake will still be delicious is another story.