It has been more than 41 years since Princess Diana and Charles married in a grand televised wedding watched by millions of people around the world. Among the memories of the event are a few slices of the 23 cakes that were at the ceremony. Some of the slices have been auctioned, and one of them was recently found along with a note from then Prince Charles.
When Princess Diana and Charles III got married
Princess Diana and the now King Charles III were married on July 29, 1981. At the time Charles was not yet 33 years old and Diana had just celebrated her 20th birthday.
Princess Diana wedding cake auction
The auction house Dore and Ree owns a piece of a fruit cake from Diana and Charles’ wedding. The slice is in its original box and retains its appearance; it is suspected that the alcohol used in its preparation helped keep it in good condition.
The cake was found at the home of a furniture restorer who worked at Windsor between 1980 and 1985 named Nigel Ricketts, who passed away this year.
Charles’s note is also being auctioned
At the restorer’s home they also found a handwritten note signed by the then Prince Charles. Apparently he and Lady Di received from Nigel as a wedding gift a valuable table.
“Diana and I are touched beyond words that you have gone to so much trouble to find something so eminently useful, I can assure you that we will treasure it in whatever home it eventually rests,” the writing reads.
- The cake is valued at £300 ($340).
- The letter is valued at £150 ($170).
They will also auction a collection of invitations to various events and parties at Buckingham Palace that Ricketts put together.