Prince Charles, Diana's wedding cake slice sells for over $2,000: 'We advise against eating it'
LONDON (AP) — A royal fan has bought a slice of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding cake for 1,850 pounds ($2,565) at auction, more than 40 years after the couple tied the knot.
The large piece of cake icing and marzipan base features a detailed, sugared design of the royal coat of arms in gold, red, blue and silver. It was given to Moya Smith, a royal staffer, who preserved it with cling film and dated it July 29, 1981.
“It appears to be in exactly the same good condition as when originally sold,″ Chris Albury, auctioneer and senior valuer at Dominic Winter Auctioneers, said. “But we advise against eating it.”
After a flurry of bidding from across the world the cake piece was sold Wednesday to buyer Gerry Layton for several times over its estimated price of 300 to 500 pounds.
Layton, who described himself as a monarchist, said he would add the cake piece to his collection and benefit charities.
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“I thought I would like to add it to my estate, which will be going to charity after my death,” he said. “I also thought that I could put it up as a raffle prize with some of the money going to Centrepoint, which Princess Di was patron of.”
Albury said he was amazed at the number of bidders who were interested. Most of the inquiries came from the U.K., U.S. and the Middle East, he said.
Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in St. Paul’s Cathedral on Jul. 29, 1981. More than 20 wedding cakes were supplied for the occasion by various companies.
Charles and Diana split 11 years later in 1992, and divorced in 1996. Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997.
Another memory from the late Diana's wedding day is also available to the public but only for viewing. Her dress from the day of nuptials is on display at her former home in London.
Her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, loaned the taffeta-ruffled white dress designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel for the exhibition “Royal Style in the Making.” Its train is 25 feet long and encrusted sequins.
The exhibit also features sketches, photographs and gowns designed for three generations of royal women, including Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother. It runs until Jan. 2, 2022.