Vintage collectibles have always been valued, but a piece of the royal wedding cake? This is truly something extraordinary! A piece of cake from the 1947 royal wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip recently sold for £2,200 (approximately Rs 2,39,915) at an auction. The 77-year-old fruitcake, a relic of the original 9-foot-tall, four-tiered masterpiece, came with a personal thank you letter from Queen Elizabeth. The rare piece, soaked in wine and served to more than 2,000 guests at the prestigious celebration, was gifted to Marian Poulson, housekeeper at The Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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Seventy-seven years later, the piece – now mouldy – was found in a suitcase under a bed in Scotland. But when Marion Polson’s family found it, it was still intact in its original presentation box. The piece was placed on a brown wooden table, along with a letter from the Queen, bearing her signature “Elizabeth”.
The letter reads: “My husband and I were very touched to learn that you gave us such a wonderful wedding gift. We are both charmed by the dessert service; the different flowers and beautiful colors, I know, will be greatly appreciated. By all who see it.”
Marion Poulson was gifted a piece of cake as a thank you for purchasing a “delightful dessert service” for the newlywed couple, the BBC reports. He preserved the piece until his death in the 1980s. Since then, this rare piece was kept hidden under a bed along with some of his belongings. Earlier this year, his family in Scotland approached auctioneers, and the cake was initially priced at £500 (Rs 54,526).
Interest in the bidding grew from around the world, with a Chinese bidder securing the piece over the phone amid fierce competition.
Finally, the royal piece was put up for auction, and royal expert James Grinter of Colchester-based auction house Ryman Dancy described the item as “a real little find”.
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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were married on November 20, 1947.
