In 1947, when the Queen and Prince Philip got married, their wedding gifts included a lavish, diamond-encrusted tiara, glittering sapphire jewellery and delicate Meissen porcelain. Also among the 2,500 presents delivered to Buckingham Palace – sent not only by heads of state and fellow monarchs but also the British public, then still living with rationing – were 131 pairs of nylons, 38 handbags, 24 pairs of gloves, 500 tins of pineapple, packets of sugared almonds and ingredients for the official wedding cake.
Thirty-four years later, when Charles and Diana headed to St Paul's Cathedral, their 6,000 presents followed a similar theme, ranging from a £1 million gem-studded gold model of an Arab boat, to a Steuben glass bowl and porcelain centrepiece sent by the Reagans, a carpet from New Zealand, 20 silver platters from Australia, and the more traditional 1980s wedding gifts of kettles and toasters, wrapped and put in the post by citizens keen to be part of the big day.
By the time William and Kate walked down the aisle in 2011, the nature of royal wedding gift lists had changed markedly – and with Harry and Meghan that looks to continue. "Royal gifts really are fascinating," says royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams. "In the past there was the idea that you had to try and give the most impressive gift; monarchs would try and outbuy the other in splendour. These days with royal gifts for weddings, that era is over."
