A 'fragile' 77-year-old slice of Queen Elizabeth II's wedding cake in its original packaging has sold for more than £2,000.
Reeman Dansie, in Severalls Business Park, saw a very unique piece of cake cross its auction table on Tuesday as part of its royalty, fine art and antique sale.
The two-day auction included the 77-year-old slice of fruitcake from the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip Duke of Edinburgh’s wedding on November 20, 1947.
Jonathan Benson oversaw the auction, which saw the piece sold for £2,200 to a buyer from China, who participated in the auction via phone.
Mr Benson said: “It is a wonderful result for something that is merely a piece of cake.
“We have been selling different royal items for the last 15 years but we never had a piece of cake in its original wrapping and in the original box.”
The item was expected to sell for around £300 to £500 but managed to surpass the expectations of the specialists.
“We did not expect it to go for more than £2,000,” said Mr Benson, “But collectors are usually interested in the things not many people have.”
The cake was sent from the then Princess Elizabeth to Marion Polson, the housekeeper at The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland from 1931 to 1969.
Collectors of royal memorabilia from all around the world were interested in purchasing this special piece of cake, even a buyer from Canada was bidding.
Despite its age, the cake was in a good condition, with Mr Benson adding that he doubted the new owner would be interested in eating it.
Stepping in for the royal expert at Reeman Dansie for the auction, Mr Benson enjoyed seeing the sale of this special item.
He said: “I was lucky enough to be part of one of the highest sales, but this was one of the quirkiest things we have seen and we may not see another one anytime soon.”
The seller of the piece was “delighted” with the result achieved by the auction, Mr Benson said.
Along with the cake, a coat belonging to King Edward VIII was sold for £2,730, a handwritten letter from Lady Diana Princess of Wales for £2,730 and a cigar partly smoked by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill for £572.
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