In November 1947, the world watched as Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrated their wedding in a post-war Britain marked by rationing and austerity. Amid this backdrop, their extravagant nine-foot-tall wedding cake became a symbol of joy and abundance. This monumental creation, weighing a staggering 500 pounds, was crafted with layers of fruitcake laced with alcohol to ensure its longevity. It was adorned with intricate decorations, including sugar-iced coats of arms and figures depicting the couple’s favourite pastimes.
Among the thousands of guests who enjoyed a slice of this masterpiece was Marion Polson, the housekeeper at Holyrood House in Edinburgh. Polson, however, wasn’t an ordinary recipient. She received a specially packaged slice of the cake as a personal thank-you gift from Princess Elizabeth for her thoughtful wedding present—a delicate dessert service set.
Alongside the cake, Polson received a heartfelt letter from the princess, who expressed her delight with the gift. The letter described how the dessert service’s vibrant colours and floral patterns would be admired by many and often used. The gesture highlighted the young royal’s personal touch in acknowledging kindness.
Lost and Found: A Time Capsule Under the Bed
Decades later, long after Polson’s passing in the 1980s, the cake’s journey took a surprising turn. It was discovered under a bed, tucked away in a suitcase among her belongings. Inside its original box, featuring Princess Elizabeth’s silver insignia and a delicate doily, the slice of cake remained untouched for 77 years. While no longer edible, its preservation was remarkable.
When Polson’s family unearthed this unusual heirloom, they reached out to Reeman Dansie, a renowned auction house specialising in royal memorabilia. According to auctioneer James Grinter, this particular slice stood out because it retained its original contents and packaging—an extremely rare occurrence for royal wedding cake memorabilia.
The Auction That Surprised Everyone
When the slice went under the hammer in 2023, it was initially expected to fetch around $650. However, its rarity and the intrigue surrounding it drove bidding far beyond expectations. A buyer from China ultimately secured the piece for an astonishing $2,800. Grinter described the cake as a “little time capsule,” evoking nostalgia for a historic moment when hope and celebration lifted a nation’s spirits.
This wasn’t the first royal wedding cake to create a buzz at auction. Other slices from iconic weddings, such as that of Charles and Diana, have also surfaced over the years, though they rarely come with such intact provenance.
A Monument to Opulence and Resilience
The story of this cake is more than just a tale of extravagant baking. It’s a window into a world where even the simplest items—a slice of cake, a thank-you letter—carry stories of human connection and cultural significance. Despite being baked in a time of rationing, the cake’s opulence reflected the resilience and aspirations of a nation emerging from the shadows of war.
For Marion Polson’s family, the cake’s rediscovery was a connection to the past. For collectors and royal enthusiasts, it became a rare artefact encapsulating history, craftsmanship, and enduring fascination with the monarchy.
As the cake rests now in a collector’s possession, its legacy continues to inspire wonder. What started as a generous gesture from a young princess has become a slice of history—a reminder that extraordinary stories often lie in the most unexpected places.
