Royal Wedding Cake

The eight-tiered Royal Wedding cake decorated with 900 symbolic sugar-paste flowers on Kate's request They celebrated their love for each other today in a lavish Royal Wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey and this is the extraordinary cake that they enjoyed at the reception. Prince William and his bride Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, cut the first slice of the magnificent eight-tiered wedding cake this afternoon as they celebrated their marriage with friends and family. The confectionery masterpiece covered in cream and white icing and decorated with up to 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers was center-stage at the Buckingham Palace reception held in the picture gallery. The masterpiece: Fiona Cairns, stands next to the wedding cake that she and her team made for Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace Hard work: The project has left cake-maker Fiona Cairns exhausted but elated after working for five weeks on the project Finishing touches: Staff perfect the special cake, that was covered in cream and white icing and decorated with up to 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers Fruity! The new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are fans of the baker's fruit cakes, while Paul McCartney orders one for Christmas every year Delicious: Rachel Jane Eardley, left, and Diane Pallett prepare the royal wedding cake in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace Team work: Fiona Cairns (back) instructs her Royal Wedding cake team during the finishing touches at Buckingham Palace Flowers featured on the cake Rose (white) - 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.