Elspeth A. Lodge

The Duchess of Cornwall planted a ‘Wedding Cake Tree’ Tuesday in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, to commemorate what she declares an “…absolutely wonderful, very, very special” day— the wedding of the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“I hope that this tree will remind everybody in Tetbury of a wonderful and special day. I am thrilled to be able to plant it,” she said according to the Mirror.

The Mirror reports that the Cornus Contraversa is nicknamed “The Wedding Cake Tree” because of its horizontal, tiered branches; it also blooms star-shaped white flowers in the summer.

The tree  was a donation of the Tetbury Evening Women’s Institute and Tetbury in Bloom.

WI President Chris Gibson said to the Mirror “We are very happy to have donated a lovely tree to the town to mark such a lovely occasion. Friday was a real celebration.”

The Duchess of Cambridge wore something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue when she married Prince William on April 29. This got me thinking, where on earth did the tradition come from and why did Kate follow it? According to one wedding guide the tradition dates back to the time of Queen Victoria, but some of the customs referred are much older.

The saying is actually only part of an old English rhyme:

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in your shoe

Not surprisingly, the items chosen are all symbolic:

“Something old represents continuity, says a wedding guide. “Something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity; and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity, although this remains largely a British custom.”

Below, how Kate followed the tradition.

• ”Something old”— The traditional Carrickmacross craftsmanship used to create the bridal gown, reports the Telegraph, is the “something old.”
• “Something new”—”The Bride’s earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the centre,” say royal officials. “Inspiration for the design comes from the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves.  The earrings were made to echo the tiara.  The earrings were a personal gift to the Bride from her parents for her Wedding Day.”
• “Something Borrowed”—Kate Middleton (now the Duchess of Cambridge) walked down the aisle, her head was covered in a veil made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of handi-embroidered flowers, embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework, report royal officials.

The veil was topped by an absolutely stunning ‘halo’ tiara belonging to the Queen.

The 1936 tiara was made by Cartier and purchased by the Duke of York (later King George VI for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. It was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday, says a statement by royal officials.

• ”Something blue“—A blue ribbon was sewn into the interior of Kate’s dress, reports the Telegraph.

Later this month Prince William and his new bride will fly to a secret hideaway in the Indian Ocean, reports the Mail. 

On the ten-day honeymoon the couple will stay in a £4,000-a-night villa.

‘It’s one of the most incredible places you will ever visit and Kate will have the time of her life,’ A source told the Mail. ‘It’s everything you could want from a honeymoon destination and more – beautiful beaches, tropical seas and complete privacy.’

‘The prince’s protection officers flew out two and half weeks ago to check it out and their villa has been booked and confirmed,’ said the source.‘It’s a real Robinson Crusoe kind of place. There are some beautiful hikes, but if you can’t be bothered to walk a golf cart will transport you. They will also deliver you a picnic with ice-cold drinks. If you fancy some company there is a little beach bar and a restaurant. Most people, however, prefer to eat meals brought by the butler on the privacy of their deck while watching the sunset.’

The royal wedding fruit cake was adorned with nearly 900 handmade sugar-paste flowers in 17 different varieties.

All of the types of flowers were chosen especially by Kate for their meanings in the language of flowers.

Below, the flowers Kate chose and what they symbolize:

• White Rose – National symbol of England

• Daffodil – National symbol of Wales, new beginnings

• Shamrock – National symbol of Ireland

• Thistle – National symbol of Scotland

• Acorns, Oak Leaf – Strength, endurance

• Myrtle – Love

• Ivy – Wedded Love, Marriage

• Lily-of-the-Valley – Sweetness, Humility

• Rose (Bridal) – Happiness, Love.

• Sweet William – Grant me one smile

• Honeysuckle – The Bond of Love

• Apple Blossom – Preference, Good Fortune

• White Heather – Protection, Wishes will come true

• Jasmine (White) – Amiability

• Daisy – Innocence, Beauty, Simplicity

• Orange Blossom – Marriage, Eternal Love, Fruitfulness

• Lavender – ardent attachment, devotion, success, and luck.

Kate worked closely with popular Leicestershire-based cake-designer Fiona Cairns to create the confection, made of  17 individual fruit cakes (12 of which form the base) and eight tiers, report royal officials in a statement.

So, William didn’t exactly get a say in the fruit cake, but he had his own groom’s cake to be in charge of.

And, he chose the non-fussy and delicious chocolate biscuit cake, one of his favorites as a child.

It was created by Mcvitie’s Cake Company using a Royal Family recipe. The cake at the reception is pictured below.