Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding cake at Windsor Castle was a lemon elderflower sponge cake designed by Claire Ptak, a London-based baker and owner of Violet Cakes. The cake was a departure from the traditional fruit cake typically served at royal weddings, reflecting the couple’s desire for a more modern and personal touch.
Type of Cake
The wedding cake was a lemon elderflower sponge cake, featuring a lemon sponge, elderflower syrup drizzle, Amalfi lemon curd, and Swiss meringue buttercream with elderflower.
Designer
Claire Ptak, an American expat and owner of Violet Cakes in East London, was chosen to design and bake the wedding cake. Ptak was selected for her commitment to using seasonal and organic ingredients, which aligned with the couple’s values.
Unique Features
The Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding cake had several unique features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Flavor Profile | The cake featured a lemon sponge, elderflower syrup drizzle, Amalfi lemon curd, and Swiss meringue buttercream with elderflower. |
| Ingredients | The recipe included 200 Amalfi lemons, 500 organic eggs from Suffolk, 20 kg of butter, 20 kg of flour, 20 kg of sugar, and 10 bottles of Sandringham elderflower cordial. |
| Assembly | The cake was assembled on-site at Windsor Castle on the morning of the wedding, with fresh flowers added just before serving. |
| Presentation | The cake was presented on a tiered gold stand, with each tier sitting on a separate platform and topped with fresh flowers, creating a modern and visually stunning design. |
Cost and Significance
The wedding cake reportedly cost $70,000 and was a significant departure from traditional royal wedding cakes. The choice of a lemon elderflower cake reflected the couple’s desire for a more modern and personal touch, rather than the traditional fruit cake.
Timeline
The timeline of the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding cake preparation and presentation is as follows:
- Announcement: Kensington Palace announced Claire Ptak as the wedding cake baker in March 2018.
- Preparation: Ptak and her team prepared the cake at Buckingham Palace and assembled it at Windsor Castle on the morning of the wedding, May 19, 2018.
- Serving: The cake was served at the lunchtime reception at Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Hall and later at the evening reception at Frogmore House.
Personal Connection
Meghan Markle had previously interviewed Claire Ptak for her lifestyle blog, The Tig, and shared similar values regarding food provenance, sustainability, and seasonality. This personal connection made Ptak the perfect choice for the wedding cake designer.
The Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding cake at Windsor Castle was a unique and visually stunning creation that reflected the couple’s personal style and values. The lemon elderflower sponge cake, designed by Claire Ptak, was a departure from the traditional royal wedding cakes and a testament to the couple’s desire to put their own mark on their special day.
References:
1. https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a14018988/prince-harry-meghan-markle-wedding-cake/
2. https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/514481/meghan-markle-stunning-four-piece-floral-wedding-cake-sentimental/
3. https://www.vogue.com/article/prince-harry-meghan-markle-wedding-cake-watch-it-made
4. https://www.delish.com/food-news/a20743215/royal-wedding-harry-and-meghans-wedding-cake/
5. https://people.com/royals/royal-wedding-prince-harry-meghan-markle-wedding-cake-photo-lemon-elderflower/