It seems much longer than six years since Prince Harry wed Meghan Markle.
The world has changed so much since the couple tied the knot at Windsor back in 2018 - a pandemic does that, we suppose - and yet, the pair will celebrate their sixth anniversary on May 19.
The traditional gift for six years of marriage is iron, representing strength, resilience and an ‘ironclad’ bond between the couple. The Sussexes have certainly shown that over the last few years.
What are the anniversary gifts for each year of marriage?
1 year |
Paper |
2 years |
Cotton |
3 years |
Leather |
4 years |
Fruit & flowers, or linen & silk |
5 years |
Wood |
6 years |
Iron |
7 years |
Wool or copper |
8 years |
|
9 years |
Pottery |
10 years |
Tin/ aluminium |
11 years |
Steel |
12 years |
Silk |
13 years |
Lace |
14 years |
Ivory |
15 years |
Crystal |
20 years |
China |
25 years |
Silver |
30 years |
Pearl |
35 years |
Coral |
40 years |
Ruby |
45 years |
Sapphire |
50 years |
Gold |
55 years |
Emerald |
60 years |
Diamond |
The metal may not have the same glamour as say, bronze, gold or platinum, but there are fitting ideas to suit the occasion if you apply some left-field thinking.
Go practical with cast iron pans (finally, an excuse to purchase an entire Le Creuset set) or choose other homewares like table lamps to capitalise on the material.
Green-fingered couples might appreciate a gift for the garden, and there’s lots of choice in this category. Planters, sculptures and fire pits can all be found in the metal. It’s an idea you can transplant inside the house too, say with a terrarium made of glass with an iron frame.
Not so keen on iron? Other gifting options include a luxury bouquet filled with Calla lilies or amethyst jewellery (and also the birthstone for Pisces), all of which mark six years of marital bliss.
If you know a couple going six years strong and want to help them mark the moment, we’ve put together an edit of the best gifts to help them celebrate.
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Le Creuset Cast Iron Heart Casserole, Cerise
They say home is where the heart is, but we think it’s more specifically in the kitchen. Le Creuset appears to agree with our notion with this symbolically heart-shaped casserole dish, featured here in the brand’s iconic Cerise shade. Prepare the perfect at-home romantic meal in this show-stopping kitchen accessory.
Buy now £199.00, John Lewis
Our Place Cast Iron Always Pan
Best for: Convenience
Never has a cookware brand caused quite as big a commotion as Our Place. Oprah reportedly called the brand’s cult favourite Always Pan a “kitchen magician”, and it can count popstar-turned-cooking show host Selena Gomez among its collaborators.
The cast iron iteration of its signature product employs an easy-care matt black enamel coating to bolster its already impressive convenience credentials. These include an integrated beachwood spatula and two rubber hot grips for safe handling.
And if you want more from the eight-in-one design that bakes, broils, braises and the rest, opt for added extras including a fry deck and alternate clay Tagine lid.
Buy now £108.00, Our Place
Cast Iron Royal Mail Wall Postbox Letter Box
Embrace vintage style with a Royal Mail-inspired letter box, finished in traditional sign with a former British monarch’s cipher. Made from cast iron and aluminium from a small UK business, the options come in a choice of red or black, finished with gold-coloured paint on the lettering. The lockable piece comes with a set of keys and is pre-drilled making them easy to secure with the right fixings.
Buy now £99.99, Etsy
Prickle Plants Cast Iron Plant
A more affordable pick for those revamping on a budget, Prickle Plants’ decorative piece comes complete with a pot of your choosing, meaning less stress and less mess. Keep this one out of the sun and water regularly.
Buy now £34.00, Prickle Plants
Cast Iron Sundial
Cast iron is a go-to material for outdoor décor due to its hardy and weatherproof nature. This elegant yet strong option is perched atop a half-globe and boasts an arrowhead gnomon which pierces through a hollow timekeeping sphere.
Buy now £19.99, Selections
Vintage Style Cast Iron Boot Brush & Shoe Scraper
An item that’ll come into its own when it’s wet and wild outside, this boot brush and shoe scraper will get the worst of the mud off wellies and shoes to make cleaning them easier. Made from robust cast iron, the practical scraper should be placed on a non-slip mat for safety. When it comes to cleaning the thing itself, a simple hose-down will do the trick.
Buy now £21.99, B&Q
Charles Bentley Wrought Iron Companion Seat Sage Green
If all you're after is somewhere to read the weekend supplements in peace with nothing but a coffee and your favourite person for company, this sweet companion seat is the best bet. Rendered in a fetching sage green, two wrought iron chairs are attached by a table and lower shelf to keep refreshments close to hand.
Buy now £157.99, Ryman
Dibor Cast Iron Heart Candle Holders Gift Set
A sweet but simple gift, these iron-crafted candle holders are a thoughtful idea that won’t break the bank. Inspired by a Victorian design, the set is finished in antique brown and sits on three sturdy feet with space inside for a tealight candle. They also double as plate warmers for romantic meals in.
Buy now £28.00, NOTHS
LES OTTOMANS Fauna Hand-Painted Iron Tray
A surprise piece of homeware, like this zebra-motif tray, can be a fun gift for the couple who embraces maximalist style. This one is painted a sunny yellow, making it perfect for ferrying cocktails to the garden.
Buy now £115.00, Liberty
Flowerbx Blushing Bride Calla Lily
Elegant and sculptural, a bunch of calla lilies in soft blush pink won't fail to get the right reaction. The magnificent stems come in groups of 20, 30 or 40 and look best in a tall vase.
Buy now £75.00, Flowerbx
