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Lot #45
Princess Diana

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Estimate: $800+
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Description

Remarkable 36-year-old slice of cake cut from the multitiered wedding cake served at the royal wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles on July 29, 1981. Created and baked by David Avery, the head baker at the Royal Naval cooking school, the rectangular piece of fruitcake measures 3.75 x 2.75 x .75, and is housed in a special box marked on the cover, "CD, Buckingham Palace, 29th July 1981," and includes the original presentation card, “With best wishes from, Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince & Princess of Wales.” Accompanied by two letters from Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Ashmore, one dated July 30, 1981, in part: "I was very sorry to hear from Mr. Young about your accident…There were one or two pieces of the Royal Wedding Cake which were not distributed and I know that The Prince and Princess of Wales would like you to have some." Also accompanied by a letter of provenance from the recipient's son, in part: "My mother…was trained as a waitress for Town and County Catering…While working at Buckingham Palace in 1981 serving a buffet at a garden party for the disabled, which Prince Charles and Diana attended, there was a freak storm and it came over very dark. Ice cream was stored in small black refrigerators on the floor behind the buffet. The marquee and buffet became very busy due to the storm and while my mother was serving she tripped over one of the black boxes and broke her hip. While she was in hospital she was sent a letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Ashmore with a piece of cake from Prince Charles and Diana's wedding." Additionally includes two original group photos of the waitresses, one of which is marked "Buckingham Palace Garden Party" on the reverse.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #519 - Ended January 10, 2018