Former Wren becomes one of the first people to receive 100th birthday card from King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla – and she vows to keep it in a prominent place ‘so everyone can see it’

• Ruth Park-Pearson, 100, was one of the first to receive a card from King Charles 
• Irene Lloyd also received a card on Saturday to mark her centenary birthday 
• Mrs Park-Pearson, from Tadcaster, was delighted when the card arrived signed
• The greeting was addressed from both the King and Queen Consort Camilla 

A former Wren was among the first people to receive a 100th birthday card from the King and Queen Consort and said she vows to keep it in a prominent place so ‘everyone can see it’.

Ruth Park-Pearson, from Tadcaster, North Yorkshire turned 100 on Friday and was delighted when the card signed by both Charles and Camilla arrived the following day.

Mrs Park-Pearson, who was born in Glasgow, served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (Wrens) during the Second World War when Charles’ grandfather, King George VI was on the throne. 

On Saturday, Irene Lloyd – who celebrated her 100th birthday on September 25 – also received one of the first cards from King Charles III. 

The greeting said: ‘My wife and I are so pleased to know that you celebrated your one hundredth birthday on 21st of October 2022.

Ruth Park-Pearson, from Tadcaster, North Yorkshire turned 100 on Friday and was delighted when the card signed by both Charles and Camilla arrived the following day

The former Wren was among the first people to receive birthday cards from the King and Queen Consort said she will proudly display the greetings from the third monarch in her life 

‘This brings our warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes on such a special occasion.’

The card features a photograph of the smiling royal couple, which was taken in the summer of 2018.

Charles became King on the death of his mother, the Queen, on September 8 and Mrs Park-Pearson is one of those who received birthday greetings from the new monarch this weekend.

King Charles’s cards are more similar to those sent out by his grandfather King George VI, which also featured his wife Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother.

‘I was like ‘my goodness me’,’ she said.

‘It’s lovely because it’s got a lovely gold cord through it with a tassel on the end.

‘It really is a lovely card; I shall keep it very prominent so everyone can see it.’

Glasgow-born Mrs Park-Pearson, who plans to display the card on her cabinet, served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (Wrens) during the Second World War.

Queen Elizabeth II reigned from 1952 until her death in September, after marking her Platinum Jubilee.

During her 70-year reign, approximately 1.3 million cards were sent to mark birthdays and anniversaries across the UK, the Realms and the Overseas Territories.

Mrs Park-Pearson said: ‘I was serving under her father if you think about it.

‘I served under him and the Queen and now it’s going to be King Charles, three monarchs shall we say, in my life.

‘You don’t think about it at the time, it’s not until later you realise just sort of how old you are suddenly. You think my goodness me; I remember the old King.

The greeting said: ‘My wife and I are so pleased to know that you celebrated your one hundredth birthday on 21st of October 2022. This brings our warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes on such a special occasion.’

Mrs Park-Pearson, who was born in Glasgow, served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (Wrens) during the Second World War when Charles’ grandfather, King George VI was on the throne

‘The Queen Mother was a very elegant lady.’

Mrs Park-Pearson, who has six children, 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, celebrated her milestone birthday surrounded by family and said the special event brought them all together.

‘Everybody seems to have just gelled all together, you know, the cousins haven’t seen each other for years but they all just gelled nicely together.

‘Even the young great-grandchildren were happy to be with one another.

‘So it was a really happy day.

‘I really had a wonderful birthday I have to say.

‘So many wonderful presents and flowers, I could start a flower shop almost.’

Mrs Lloyd, who worked on a dairy farm during the Second World War, said: ‘I was really thrilled to receive a card from the new King and Queen. With the death of the late Queen, I thought people who were 100 at the time might have missed out, so it was a nice surprise to receive mine.’

Mrs Park-Pearson, who has six children, 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, celebrated her milestone birthday surrounded by family and said the special event brought them all together

Her son and carer Ian Lloyd handed the card to her when it arrived. Mr Lloyd, who is also a royal historian, said: ‘Having thought we would see a photo of an elderly man in a suit, or at best in a uniform, it was great to have a friendlier image of the royal couple together.

‘Prince Philip never appeared on the Queen’s cards and you have to go back to the war years when a monarch and consort last sent images of themselves to the public from the Palace.’ 

The tradition of sending royal messages to mark significant birthdays and anniversaries dates back to 1917 during the reign of George V, when those celebrating their 100th birthday or 60th wedding anniversary were sent a telegram of good wishes from the king.

Thousands of birthday and wedding anniversary cards are sent from Buckingham Palace every year to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter.

They are also sent to those celebrating their 60th, 65th, 70th wedding anniversaries and all subsequent years.

The photo of the monarch on the card is updated every five years. 

How do you get a card from the King?

Birthday and wedding anniversary cards are sent from Buckingham Palace every year to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter.

They are also sent to those celebrating their 60th, 65th, 70th wedding anniversaries and all subsequent years.

How do I get one?

Birthday cards 

You do NOT need to submit an application if: 

You are receiving a State Pension or other DWP benefit and are a resident in the United Kingdom as the Centenarian Team at the Department for Work and Pensions will pass your information direct to the Anniversaries Office at Buckingham Palace so that a congratulatory message can be arranged.

You DO need to submit an application if: 

The above does not apply to you. 

How do I apply? 

You must apply 5 weeks before the birthday.

You can apply for a birthday card by downloading the Birthday Form PDF from the Royal website. 

Alternatively you can apply online. There is a link on the Royal website. 

What if I am overseas? 

The King’s custom only to send messages to citizens of His Realms or UK Overseas Territories, those born overseas, or who currently live overseas, must provide evidence of their British nationality. 

For residents outside of the United Kingdom, an application must be received with the relevant documentation in order for a card to be arranged. 

This can be in the form of photocopies of the relevant pages of a recent British passport. 

Wedding Anniversaries 

How to apply

Option 1: If you have a copy of your marriage certificate you can download the Wedding Form or complete the online form which are available on the royal website. 

You must fill out the form and attach a good photocopy of the marriage certificate.

Option 2: If you do not have a copy of the marriage certificate and do not wish to purchase one, an application can be made direct with the appropriate records office.

Records offices 

For those married in England and Wales: General Register Office Southport – Tel. 0300 123 1837

For those married in Scotland: National Records for Scotland – Tel. 0131 314 4488

For those married in Northern Ireland: General Register Office Belfast –  Tel. 028 9025 2000 

What if I live or was married overseas? 

Those married overseas, or who currently live overseas, must provide evidence of their British nationality. 

This can be in the form of photocopies of the relevant pages of a current British passport. 

All forms can be found at www.royal.uk.

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