Baker to do royal duty
Harry and Meghan break from tradition with wedding cake
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have announced the baker behind their upcoming wedding cake and revealed they will be shunning the traditional English fruitcake.
In a statement released by Kensington Palace it was announced that pastry chef Claire Ptak, the owner of the London-based bakery Violet Cakes, will be baking an organic lemon elderflower cake for the couple’s upcoming wedding on May 19.
Ms Ptak is originally from California and had previously been interviewed by Ms Markle for her former lifestyle website The Tig.
“Prince Harry and Ms Markle have asked Claire to create a lemon elderflower cake that will incorporate the bright flavours of spring. It will be covered with buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers,” wrote Kensington Palace on Twitter.
“Claire Ptak, who was raised in California, focuses on using seasonal and organic ingredients in her cakes.
“Prince Harry and Ms Markle are looking forward to sharing the cake with guests at their wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19th.”
Ms Ptak said she was thrilled to be selected.
“I can’t tell you how delighted I am to be chosen,” she said.
“Knowing that they really share the same values as I do about food provenance, sustainability, seasonality and most importantly flavour, makes this the most exciting event to be a part of.”
High society magazine Tatler has previously described Ms Ptak’s bakery as an “East London hotspot” that “serves the best American-style bakes around”.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady said he was “delighted” the couple had chosen an American sponge instead of the traditional British fruitcake.
“I wonder how many bakers will be getting calls this morning to “please change my wedding cake to lemon elderflower”, he wrote on Twitter.
Prince Harry and Markle announced their engagement last November and will marry in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19.
More than 2600 people, including members of the public, will be invited into the castle grounds to watch the arrival of the bride and groom.
It had previously been speculated by British press that the couple wanted a banana wedding cake.