A bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne, a tangible relic from one of the most famous weddings in modern history, is set to go under the hammer for an estimated £70,000.
A Sip of Royal History
This is no ordinary bottle of fizz. It is a Dom Pérignon Vintage 1961 magnum, produced exclusively for the official festivities surrounding the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The couple exchanged vows in a grand ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral on July 29, 1981, an event that captivated a global television audience of 750 million people and was widely dubbed the 'wedding of the century'.
Following the service, celebrations continued with a wedding breakfast and ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where this very champagne was served to selected guests.
An Extraordinarily Rare Find
The upcoming sale is being handled by the Danish auction house Bruun Rasmussen on December 11. The bottle is estimated to fetch between €67,000 and €80,000 (approximately £58,870 and £70,293).
Thomas Rosendahl, head of wine at the auction house, explained the bottle's unique significance. He stated, "Vintage 1961 is one of Dom Pérignon's most coveted vintages. This special edition was produced in extremely limited numbers and exclusively for the official festivities and selected guests of the royal wedding."
He further emphasised, "This is a champagne created for a historic royal occasion, making it extraordinarily rare. It represents not only a highly esteemed Dom Pérignon vintage but also a unique piece of cultural history."
Anticipated International Interest
The auction house is predicting fierce bidding for this piece of royal memorabilia. The unique combination of a supreme vintage from a legendary champagne house and its direct link to a pivotal moment in British royal history is expected to attract widespread attention.
Rosendahl confirmed, "We expect strong international interest from both established wine collectors and royal memorabilia enthusiasts."
The sale offers a chance to own a direct link to a day of unparalleled global spectacle, though the fairy tale itself was not destined to last. The royal couple separated in 1992 before their divorce was finalised in 1996.
