A rare piece of royal history has gone under the hammer – a slice of Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding cake, which has been preserved for over 70 years.
The late monarch, who was 21 and still a princess at the time, married 26-year-old Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947.
Now, 77 years later, a piece of the couple’s original wedding cake is being auctioned by Hansons Auctioneers.
The four-tiered masterpiece was originally made by McVitie & Price and adorned with royal crests, including the Duke’s regimental and naval badges.
According to the auction listing, the cake weighed more than 226 kilograms and was made using 660 eggs, 80 oranges and over “three gallons of navy rum.”
It was affectionately nicknamed the “10,000-mile cake” because its ingredients were sourced from across the Commonwealth. The fruit was donated by the Australian Girl Guides, while a slice preserved with South African rum and brandy was sent back to Australia.
About 2,000 slices were cut for distinguished guests at the wedding, but several additional cakes were made for royal staff, charities, schools and hospitals.
A press release acquired by Hello! about the original creation read, “Each piece of sugar work was made separately and then fitted into its place on the cake.”
It also noted that the “conventional lucky charms are hidden in the bottom tier.”
The slice being auctioned once belonged to the late Queen’s servant, Cyril Dickman, who was well liked by the royal family and close to the late Princess Diana. Dickman passed away in 2012.
The item, which comes in a plain box marked “Presented to Mr C. Dickman by Princess Elizabeth Nov 20th 1947,” is expected to sell for between £150 and £200 and will remain open for bidding until October 21.
Previously, another slice of the historic cake sold for £3,000 in July 2025. Over the years, other pieces of the confection and accompanying wedding mementos – including handwritten notes, gift lists and bridesmaid dresses – have also appeared at auction.
Images: Hansons Auctioneers
