The specific details of the cake at a royal wedding can vary depending on the couple's preferences and any traditions they choose to incorporate. However, traditionally, royal wedding cakes are multi-tiered fruitcakes.
The fruitcake is typically made with rich, dense, and moist ingredients, including a variety of dried fruits such as currants, raisins, sultanas, and candied peel. These fruits are soaked in alcohol, often brandy, to enhance their flavor and help preserve the cake.
In addition to the fruit, the cake is typically layered with a marzipan coating or icing to create a smooth surface for the final decorative elements. The outer layer is often a layer of white fondant icing, which gives the cake a polished and elegant appearance.
As for the design and decoration, this can vary depending on the couple's preferences and the overall theme of the wedding. Royal wedding cakes are often elaborate and intricately decorated with details that reflect the couple's personal taste, the royal family's traditions, or other symbolic elements.
For example, the wedding cake of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) in 2011 featured eight tiers adorned with intricate icing details and sugar flowers. The cake also incorporated the couple's official coat of arms and other symbolic elements representing their relationship.
It's worth noting that while fruitcake is a common choice for royal wedding cakes, there have been exceptions. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, for instance, opted for a lemon and elderflower cake at their wedding in 2018. The cake's flavor and design can be customized to suit the couple's preferences and any specific requirements they may have.
In summary, while fruitcake is a traditional choice, the specific details of the cake at a royal wedding can vary based on the couple's preferences, cultural influences, and desired symbolism.