A Glasgow-born woman was one of the first to receive cards from the King and Queen on her 100th birthday.
Ruth Park-Pearson turned 100 on Friday and was delighted when a card signed by Charles and Camilla arrived the next day.
The greeting read: “My wife and I are very happy to learn that you celebrated your 100th birthday on October 21, 2022.
“It brings our warmest congratulations and best wishes for such a special holiday.”
The photo of the smiling royal couple, taken in the summer of 2018, is on the postcard.
Charles became king following the death of his mother, the Queen, on September 8, and Mrs Parke-Pearson was among those to receive birthday wishes from the new monarch this weekend.
She said: “I was like ‘oh my god’.
“It’s wonderful because it has a beautiful gold cord running through it with a tassel at the end.
“This is a really lovely card; I will make it very visible for all to see.’
Mrs Parke-Pearson, who plans to hang the card in her office, served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (RNS) during the Second World War.
She served when Charles’ grandfather, King George VI, was on the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II reigned from 1952 until her death in September after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee.
During her 70-year reign, around 1.3 million birthday and anniversary cards were sent across the UK, the Kingdoms and overseas territories.
Mrs Parke-Pearson, who now lives in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, said: “If you think about it, I served under her father.”
READ MORE: Glasgow Love Rally: Hundreds march for respect and love for people with care experiences
She added: “You don’t think about it at the time, it’s only later that you realize how old you are suddenly. You think oh my god; I remember the old king.
“The Queen Mother was a very elegant woman.”
Mrs Parke-Pearson, who has six children, 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, celebrated her milestone birthday with family and said the special occasion had brought them all together.
She said: “It seems like everyone just blended together, you know, cousins who haven’t seen each other for years, but they all just blended together.
“Even the little great-grandchildren were happy to be with each other.
“So it was a really happy day.
“I have to say I had a wonderful birthday.
“So many wonderful gifts and flowers, I could almost open a flower shop.”
The tradition of sending royal messages on famous 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 with good wishes from the king.
Thousands of birthday and wedding anniversary cards are sent from Buckingham Palace each year to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthdays, and every year thereafter.
They are also sent to those celebrating their 60th, 65th, 70th wedding anniversary and every year after that.
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/23072085.glasgow-born-great-gran-among-first-receive-100th-birthday-card-king-charles/?ref=rss
