Harry and Meghan Broke Centuries-Old Royal Tradition With One Detail in Their Wedding Cake

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s fairytale wedding was just as grand as any other royal nuptial, but one sweet detail broke a centuries-old tradition. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s lemon and elderflower cake was a bold departure from other royal wedding cakes. Traditionally, royal wedding cakes have been overly decorated fruitcakes.

American baker Clare Ptak crafted Harry and Markle’s sweet slice of rebellion for their big day. Just days before the ceremony, Kensington Palace announced on its social media accounts that the couple had chosen the unique flavor to 'incorporate the bright flavors of spring.' The delicious confection was covered in an elderflower-infused Swiss meringue buttercream, which Ptak described as 'satiny and super delicious.’ She told Town & Country magazine, “We discussed that they wanted something very unique and outside the box; they didn’t feel that there should be any kind of constrictions to do something within tradition.”

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Harry and Markle's wedding cake was made from 200 Amalfi lemons, 10 bottles of Sandringham elderflower cordial, 20kg of butter, 20kg of sugar, and 500 organic eggs. Ptak said of their unique choice, “I don’t think it was an intention to make a big statement, but it kind of came out that way, so it was really exciting to be part of that…It was like a dream job for sure.” According to her, the Sussexes particularly like the ingenuity behind the cake’s spring design, praising its ‘seasonality’ and ‘freshness.’ She added, “I would suggest something, and they’d say, 'We love it.' I think [Meghan] knew that I would do the kind of thing she was interested in, and that made it easier.”

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The pair also broke another royal rule at their wedding. Reportedly, they deviated from royal tradition by opting for a non-tiered cake design. The baker quipped, “It’s a non-traditional layout. It’s a slight shift from tradition.” Photos released by the Kensington Palace showed three cakes of different sizes, not stacked in a traditional tiered manner. One cake appeared to be two-tiered, while the other two were single-tiered, donned with fresh edible flowers and greenery. Interestingly, the baker revealed that the actual cakes on display weren’t eaten by the guests. She revealed, “There were 750 people to serve, and you wouldn't have time to cut it. The cakes that were actually on display were donated to a charity the next morning.”

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Harry and Markle’s unique flavor for their wedding cake also paid sweet homage to Queen Elizabeth. The Knot reports that Ptak incorporated 10 bottles of Sandringham Elderflower Cordial, an ingredient that directly paid homage to the Queen. The liqueur made from fermenting elderflowers came directly from one of her private homes. The cake, adorned with 150 fresh British peonies and roses, was a modest contrast to the towering, grandiose wedding cakes of other royal family members.