I know it's not cool, but I don't care. I LOVE a good royal wedding! My sister and I have already started the "will we go, won't be go" debate. Obviously not as actual guests, but as part of the unwashed plebeian masses straining at the gates of St. Paul's for a glimpse of the couple.
As a little tribute to Wills and Kate, I thought it would be fun to take a look at royal wedding cakes down the years. Now, I am not a fan of traditional wedding cakes at the best of times, and unfortunately I like the royal versions even less. Like royal wedding dresses, royal wedding cakes are traditionally big, presumably so they can be seen and create an impact at the reception, while feeding a lot of people. They also tend to be rather elaborate and almost architectural in nature, which is another point against them for this lover of all things homemade and imperfect.
William's parents Diana and Charles exemplified the architectural thing with their 1981 wedding cake. No wonder the marriage got off on a bad foot, with this as an edible symbol of their love.
Decades earlier, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had a classic cake in the tradition of the St. Bride's steeple. While a little frilliana, there's something rather quaint and charming about it. I suppose now we'd call it 'vintage chic'.
Now let's hop to the continent for the wedding cake of my favourite Australian princess and her leading man, Crown Prince and Princess Frederik and Mary of Denmark (seen above). Although still in the way-too-tall royal style, I like that in the midst of a formal occasion they've injected a bit of humour with their cute cake topper. I also like the pretty colour that matches the bride's gown.
Royal watchers know that Princess Letizia of Spain and her husband Felipe, Prince of Asturias and heir to the throne, are the most stylish of royal couples. Not so with their wedding cake. This, from their 2004 wedding, is hid-e-ous! Words fail me!
I wonder if the style quotient of the princess is in inverse proportion to the style quotient of the cake. Queen Rania is a fashion icon and a Vogue favourite, but just look at the cake created for her wedding to Abdullah of Jordan. It's a lacy apartment building made out of cake!
Maybe royal wedding cakes are improving, or maybe I'm just a product of my time, because I am really quite keen on this innovative cake from the recent summer wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden to Daniel Westling. Still a little large for my liking, but it's clean, spare, modern and a bit different. Nicely done.
Let's wait and see what our British royal couple come up with. No doubt, it will be tall.
13 comments:
I'm so excited about the Royal Wedding next year.
It's about time! And just what we need I think.
Would definitely like to be in London around that time - what a great atmosphere!
And totally loving the last cake - so simple and elegant - gorgeous!
Wow. That post was mesmerizing! And you're dead on about the apartment building cake. Is that a SWORD she's using to cut it? I can only imagine the multiple nervous breakdowns had by the bakers charged with making these cakes.
now... to say you're dedicated would be an understatement!... I couldn't care less about the royal wedding but I have just spent a good 10 minutes reading and re-reading your post... genius!
I'm so excited about the Royal Wedding, the cake and the dress will be the highlights I'm sure. Can't wait! :)
OH TO BE QUEEN
WOW!!! i've NEVER in my life seen a cake as tall as Queen Rania's !!! She's so fabulous!
What amazing cakes! So tall and decadent.
What a fabulous idea for a post daaaaaahling, so topical :). Cant wait to see how the wedding unfolds!
*kisses* HH
Weddings do bring everyone together and I love your post today. I remember rising early to see his mum get married and I know she must be smiling down on this auspicious occasion coming up next year!
Makes me want to bake wedding cake, love, Susan
The hideous Spanish wedding cake is pale in comparison to what they have here in France, you wouldn't believe the horrible "pièces montées" they come up with! See http://blondevero.canalblog.com/piece_montee_2.JPG for a moderately horrifying example (although not the worst I've seen by a long shot).
It's so long since there's been a royal wedding in this country that I can't imagine what sort of cake they'll have. Surely it's going to be something wonderful? I wonder if anyone famous is going to be making it?
I'm excited about the royal wedding, too. Cannot wait to see what she wears. Thanks for the cake round-up. Fun!
I wonder if they will commission Peggy Porschen for the cake. I know Peggy is on great terms with the bride's mother.
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