Queen Elizabeth's wedding cake slice sold at an auction: New owner reveals his shocking plans for it
The royals are not just the carriers of titles but also of people's fascination that extends beyond just adoration and respect, it seems. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip tied the knot in a grand ceremony held in Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947.
The couple of course celebrated their vows with a fruit cake that was designed by the chief confectioner at McVitie and Price Ltd.
As rationing from the war was still ongoing, the ingredients for the 500lb cake were flown into the UK from South Africa and Australia, thus giving the cake a nickname- 'the 10,000 mile cake' It was cut by Prince Philip with his ceremonial sword and produced 2,000 slices for guests. Over the years, single pieces of the cake have been auctioned off at whopping prices.
One such piece of the 78-year-old cake was resting in a drawer since the wedding. The slice was given to Chief Petty Officer F. Lownes, who served in the Royal Navy, at the Buckingham Palace reception.
Instead of eating the 4-inch by 3-inch slice, the officer passed it down to his son in a box with a silver embossed crown 'EP' cypher and the date on the lid. Eventually, the cake was passed down to his daughter-in-law, with the original packaging addressing the officer, stamped with the words 'On His Majesty's Service' in reference to the father-of-the-bride, King George VI.
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Who has the cake now?
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The cake was auctioned off by the family and bought by a royal fan and entrepreneur Garry Layton. The 64-year-old bought the slice for a total of £2,900 from Reeman Dansie Auctioneers of Colchester, Essex.
"They are very rare items and don't come on the market very often," said James Grinter, specialist at Reeman Dansie to the Daily Mail. "It was sold directly from the family of the person who received it in 1947.. I believe it is a tradition that certain Royal Navy personnel were sent a piece of wedding cake."
What are Garry Layton's plans for the cake slice?
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One would expect Layton to either sell the slice further or store it as a priceless possession, considering he also owns a slice of Charles and Diana's wedding cake.
However, his plans are completely unique and truly a bit shocking. He plans to have the cake flambeed in rum before eating about a third of it at a replica state banquet he plans to hold on the Royal Yacht Britannia to mark his 65th birthday in 2026.
"This slice is extremely rare and is probably the last piece of Queen Elizabeth II's wedding cake in existence," he said.
"It is in good condition having been wrapped and kept in its box for almost 80 years"
While he hopes that flambeing it in rum will kill off any bacteria that may have developed in the slice, he is prepared for the worst as well. "But if anything happens to me then at least I will be going out in style on Britannia."
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