A piece of cake from the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana has fallen short of target price at auction in Teddington.

Bidders from around the world fell just a fraction under the low estimate of £3,000 for the piece Royal history.

The fruit cake is dressed with decorative icing and a marzipan base. And it is believed to be the only remaining example featuring the distinctive royal crest in gold, red, blue and silver.

A spokesman for Hansons Auctions in Teddington said: "It attracted international bidders but just fell short of its low estimate of £3,000 during the auction battle. The seller values the cake so highly he stood firm and was happy to take it home."

It is owned by royalist Gerry Layton, a yacht captain who provides luxury tours on the Thames and is a former TV sound engineer and producer.

He said: "To me it's worth every penny. It's the only piece like it in the world.

"I think it's been undervalued. It's not just a small slice, it's a large slab of icing complete with a royal crest chosen by Charles and Diana for the Queen Mother and her staff at Clarence House.

"It's the only surviving example of the royal crest from the cake."

advertisement

The slice is from one of 23 official cakes made for the wedding. The auction lot included a copy of the Ceremonial Procession, the St Paul's Cathedral Order of Service and the Wedding Breakfast menu with a pull-out table plan, a rare item in its own right.

Mr Layton said: "In 1998, cake from the Duke of Windsor's (former King Edward VIII) wedding to American divorcee Wallis Simpson in 1937 made $29,000 at auction and fruit cake from Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding sold for £$7,500 in 2014.

"I think it's extra special because Lady Diana was a hugely popular member of the royal family. I always admired her. I visited Kensington Palace to see her wedding dress. I couldn't believe it when I woke up to the news that she was gone."

Auctioneer Charles Hanson, famous for his many daytime TV appearances, said: "It's a wonderful piece of memorabilia and a sweet reminder of Princess Diana, the Queen of Hearts who was adored by millions, not just in the UK but around the world."