77-year-old slice of late Queen Elizabeth's wedding cake sells for thousands at auction

Every now and then, when a birthday or special celebration comes around, it's common to splurge on an occasion cake.

But one person has taken 'splurge' to a whole new level, spending an eye-watering amount of money on a single slice of cake. And not just any cake – fruit cake.

After being found under a bed, a 77-year-old slice of fruit cake has sold for $4300 at auction after it was estimated to sell for about $980, according to the BBC.

But why?

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As it happens, the "very rare" slice was a piece of wedding cake from the nuptials of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

It was sold to a bidder from China, who purchased it over the phone.

"It's a real little find, a little time capsule of glorious cake," said James Grinter, of Colchester-based auction house Reeman Dansie, per BBC.

Then-Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip's wedding cake stood 2.7 metres tall and was dished out to 2000 guests on their wedding day on November 20, 1947.

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The slice of cake was gifted to Marion Polson, who was the housekeeper at The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburugh between 1931 and 1969, as a token of thanks from the then Princess Elizabeth after Polson gifted the newlyweds a "delightful" dessert service.

Polson held onto the cake storing it under her bed with some other belongings until she passed away in the 1980s.

When Polson's family found the cake, it was still in its original presentation box and came with a letter from the late Queen.

"My husband and I are deeply touched to know that you shared in giving us such a delightful wedding present," the letter read.

"We are both enchanted with the dessert service; the different flowers and the beautiful colouring will, I know, be greatly admired by all who see it.'"

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Earlier this year, Polson's family contacted auctioneers at Reeman Dansie to sell the rare royal souvenir.

Mr Grinter said that Polson's slice was the first ever sold "in it's completeness" making it "very, very rare".

While it's managed to score an impressive price tag, Grinter says after 77 years it's definitely not in peak condition.

"I don't think I'd particularly want to eat it, I must admit," he said, per BBC.

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