The royal wedding is a spectacle that captures the attention of millions worldwide. Every detail, from the bride’s gown to the venue, is meticulously planned and executed. However, the elements that often steals the show are the royal wedding cakes. A symbol of grandeur and tradition, these cakes are not just desserts but pieces of art that reflect the personality and style of the royal couple. In this blog post, we’ll take a journey through time, exploring some iconic royal wedding cakes from Queen Elizabeth II to Meghan Markle.

History of Royal Wedding Cakes:

The Majesty of Queen Elizabeth’s: Royal Wedding Cake

When Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) married Philip Mountbatten in 1947, Britain was still recovering from World War II. Despite rationing being in place, ingredients for their wedding cake were donated by Australian Girl Guides. The result was a magnificent four-tiered fruit cake standing at nine feet tall.

The cake design was an epitome of royalty with intricate sugar-work representing the couple’s family crests, symbols of love and friendship, and scenes from their lives. This majestic creation set a precedent for future royal wedding cakes.

Royal Wedding Cakes: Princess Diana’s Record-Breaking Cake

Princess Diana’s wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 was dubbed as ‘the wedding of the century’. True to its title, their wedding cake was nothing short of extraordinary. Standing at five feet tall with five tiers, it featured a variety of traditional royal icing techniques including runouts, extension work and intricate piping.

The cake design included the family coat-of-arms and other symbolic representations like roses for England, thistles for Scotland and daffodils for Wales. It was so popular that 27 duplicate cakes were made to ensure every guest received a slice!

Kate Middleton’s Fruitcake Extravaganza

When Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, they chose a traditional eight-tiered fruitcake. The cake was adorned with over 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers, each carrying a significant meaning. For instance, the English rose represented national pride, while the Scottish thistle symbolized resilience.

The cake design was a testament to the couple’s love for tradition and their personal touch. It was an elegant blend of the old and new, much like their wedding ceremony.

Meghan Markle’s Break from Tradition

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding in 2018 marked a significant departure from royal tradition, including their choice of wedding cake. Instead of the customary fruitcake, they opted for an organic lemon elderflower cake covered with buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers.

This choice reflected Meghan’s Californian roots and her preference for simple, organic ingredients. The cake design was modern and minimalist, reflecting the couple’s contemporary style.

Conclusion

From Queen Elizabeth II’s towering fruitcake to Meghan Markle’s elegant lemon elderflower creation, royal wedding cakes have evolved over time while maintaining their grandeur. These cakes are not just desserts but symbols of royalty that reflect the personal tastes and styles of the royal couples.

Whether you’re planning your own wedding or just love admiring beautiful cakes, these royal creations offer plenty of inspiration. Remember that your wedding cake should be a reflection of you – your style, your taste and your love story. So whether it’s a traditional fruitcake or a modern flavor combination, make sure it’s something that makes you happy!

As we’ve seen through these royal examples, a wedding cake is more than just dessert – it’s an integral part of the celebration that can tell a story about who you are as a couple. So when planning your own big day, don’t forget to give some thought to your cake design!