It was a towering creation measuring almost 9 feet tall, covered in fondant, cream and fresh flowers – a wedding cake fit for a Queen.
The cake served as a centrepiece at the lavish 1947 wedding between then-Princess Elizabeth and the handsome Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten on November 20th, and now, one lucky royal enthusiast will get to see if it has held up after six decades.
Going for around £500 (or $1,086 AUD), the 68-year-old piece of fruit cake “wrapped in the original baking parchment and remarkably, still retain[ing] a miniature doilie and card inscribed ‘With the best wishes of Their Royal Highnesses The Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh'” was sold to an anonymous bidder from Los Angeles.
However, it was not an official Palace-approved slice that was sold. It was put on the market by an unnamed woman from East Sussex whose father attended the wedding.
The piece was cut from the bottom layer of the four-tier cake and which was a traditional fruit cake, made with fruit from Australia and rum and brandy from South Africa (hence it’s nickname, ‘The 10,000-mile wedding cake’).
Would you sample a 68-year-old slice of wedding cake?
Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten on their wedding day, and their towering wedding cake.
One of the most beautiful photographs of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, travelling by coach to the State Opening of Parliament in London on May 9, 2012.
Classic portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.
A splendid Queen Elizabeth II on November 22, 2011, aged 85 years.
At the time of this photograph, HRH had been on throne almost 60 years.
Portrait of Elizabeth just days after her father’s death made her the Queen in February 1952.
She was 25 years of age when she ascended the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II, one month before her 28th birthday.
When this photo was taken on the balcony of Government House, Melbourne, during her tour of Australia in March 1954, HRH had been Queen for two years.
Queen Elizabeth II gives her first Christmas broadcast on December 25, 1952.
At work aboard the Royal train on 7 May, 2002, during a nationwide tour marking 50 years on the throne.
The young Queen cut a glamorous figure. Pictured here in 1952.
Wearing a gown designed by Norman Hartnell for her Coronation ceremony.
Wearing a slim-fitting white lace dress to a garden party in Sydney, in February 1954. Her hat is of black tulle with three feathers.
With one of her beloved corgis at Sandringham in 1970.
Her reign has remained stable, even during personally turbulent times. Photographed here on March 7, 2012, attending a service for the Order of the British Empire at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Queen Elizabeth II’s early years.
Elizabeth is the first child of Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), and his wife, Elizabeth, Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth). Pictured here in 1929.
Princess Elizabeth in 1933.
Elizabeth’s only sibling was Princess Margaret who was four years younger.
As the second son of King George V, Elizabeth’s father was not expected to become king. But after his brother abdicated for love, King George VI was coronated on 12 May 1937.
Princess Elizabeth loved her famous corgis from a young age. Pictured here in 1936.
Princess Elizabeth in the grounds of her London home, 145 Piccadilly, with her pet corgis Jane and Dookie, July, 1936.
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret as girl guides in 1942.
Princess Elizabeth with her new pony in 1939. She has always retained a passion for horses.
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
Elizabeth ascended the throne at age 25, upon the death of her father on 6 February 1952.
She was proclaimed queen by her various privy and executive councils shortly afterwards.
Her coronation however was delayed for more than a year because of the tradition that such a festival was inappropriate during the period of mourning that followed the death of the preceding sovereign.
Her coronation took place on June 2, 1953.
The Queen was just 26 and a mother of two young children at the time of her coronation.
An estimated 27 million people watched the coronation on television and a further 11 million listened on the radio.
The Queen’s coronation dress was made by Mr Norman Hartnell.
Her crown and robe were so heavy she needed the help of six ladies just to walk.
The souvenir edition of The Australian Women’s Weekly to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
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Elizabeth and Philip announcing their engagement in 1947.
A Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and awarded the Greek War Cross of Valour from wartime service, Philip look to have stolen Princess Elizabeth’s heart.
The pair were married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey.
At the time, Elizabeth was Princess Elizabeth, heir apparent to King George VI.
The newlyweds greet the crowds from Buckingham Palace.
The Australian Women’s Weekly souvenir edition marking their marriage.
The couple on their honeymoon at Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire on 24th November 1947.
They still look at each other the same way on their diamond wedding anniversary in 2007.
The Queen and Prince Philip at a barn dance in Canada in 1951.
The Duke of Edinburgh has been a steadfast presence by Queen Elizabeth II’s side for all these years.
Smiling at each other in 1947, when their engagement was announced.
And they were smiling on the day they marked her 80th birthday and his 85th birthday.
The Queen and Duke arrive in a carriage at Buckingham Palace following the marriage of Prince William and Duchess Catherine on April 29, 2011.
The Queen’s family life.
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The queen with her first child, Charles, in 1948.
A playful father and Princess Elizabeth with children Prince Charles and Princess Anne in August 1951.
With her son Prince Charles at Balmoral in 1952.
HRH with Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1952.
In September 1952.
Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Charles at Windsor Great Park, during a polo match in 1956.
Elizabeth crowns Charles the Prince of Wales in July 1969.
At the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
Lady Diana, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace in the 1980s.
Elizabeth arrives with the Queen Mother at Westminster Abbey on the day of Princess Diana’s funeral.
A doting grandmother with her two cute grandsons, Princes William and Harry in the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club in Windsor.
Queen Elizabeth II with the young princes on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June, 1988.
All grown up, Prince William and Prince Harry join Queen Elizabeth II on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on June 13, 2008.
The official family portrait taken on the day of Prince William’s marriage to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
A royal queen with humble tastes.
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Queen Elizabeth II drives her Range Rover to the Windsor Horse Show on May 12, 2011.
HRH rides the London Underground to mark the opening of the Victoria Line in 1969.
The queen riding a Melbourne tram in October 2011.
This photo was taken days after Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee celebrations.
The Queen blends in with the crowd at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2014.
An off-duty day for Her Majesty.
Making the Duchess of Cambridge laugh.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
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The Queen during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.
These celebrations marked 60 years on the throne.
Wearing the Imperial State Crown.
“May the light of your majesty’s crown continue to reign supreme for many years to come,” US President Barack Obama said in a video message to the Queen.
Queen Elizabeth II in Australia.
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Queen Elizabeth II attends a State Banquet in Canberra during her tour in February 1954 wearing a mimosa gold tulle dress patterned with an Australian wattle plant motif in gold.
The Queen and Duke cut glamorous figures as they leave another banquet during their 1954 visit.
The royal couple arrive for their visit to Australia.
The Australian Women’s Weekly souvenir edition.
In Brisbane in 1982.
In Sydney in 2006.
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