Elizabeth & Philip: 60 Diamond Wedding Anniversary Facts
Written by Joanne Leyland
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Page 5 of 7
40) Individual posies of myrtle and white Balmoral heather were placed at each place setting as "favours" (gifts to the guests).
41) The flowers decorating the tables were pink and white carnations, donated by the British Carnation Society.
42) The string band of the
Grenadier Guards played music during the "wedding breakfast" under the
direction of Captain F. J. Harris. The King's Pipe Major also played at
the lunch.
43) The official wedding cake
was made by "McVities and Price". Eleven other cakes were given as
presents. With post-war food rationing still in place ingredients were
sent as wedding presents from overseas, for example the official cake
was made using ingredients given as a wedding gift by Australian Girl
Guides. Pieces of cake and food parcels were later distributed to
schoolchildren and institutions.
44) The cake was nine feet
high in four tiers, with painted panels of the armorial bearings of
both families, and included the monograms of bride and groom,
sugar-iced figures to depict their favourite activities, and regimental
and naval badges.
The cake was cut using The Duke's Mountbatten sword,
which was a wedding present from the King.
45)
United Biscuits, which now owns the former "McVities and Price" brand,
will be making two cakes to mark the Diamond Wedding Anniversary in
2007.
The first of the cakes will be on display at the lunch for
members of various Royal Families at Buckingham Palace after the
Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on the 19th November.
The
second cake will be distributed to members of staff.
46) The bride and bridegroom left the Palace showered with
rose petals.
For the Princess' going-away outfit, Hartnell designed an
ensemble of a dress and matching coat in mist-blue with
mushroom-coloured accessories.
47) The couple departed Waterloo station with the Princess's corgi, Susan, for their honeymoon.
48) The newlyweds spent their
wedding night at Broadlands in Hampshire, home of Prince Philip's uncle
Earl Mountbatten.
The second part of the honeymoon was spent at
Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate.
49) Early in 1948
the couple leased their first marital home, Windlesham Moor, in Surrey,
near Windsor Castle, where they stayed until they moved to Clarence
House on 4th July 1949.
