Couple receive card from Queen on anniversary

Couple receive card from Queen on anniversary

14 September 2022

A BALLYNAHINCH couple had the biggest surprise of their lives when they received a telegram from the late Queen congratulating them on their 60th wedding anniversary. 

Violet and Hugh Hawthorne received the milestone greeting from the UK’s longest service monarch when they were out celebrating with family and friends.

The couple were at Temple Golf Club enjoying a lovely evening, surrounded by family and friends when the special royal greeting was revealed.

“It was such a surprise,” Mrs Hawthorne told the Recorder.

“I didn’t know anything about it until the night of the party. Hugh and I were up making a little speech, thanking everyone for coming when we were handed this envelope.

“I thought it was another card – you want to count the cards we got, my heavens – but I opened it up and there was the Queen,” she said.

“There was a picture of the Queen on the front and inside there was a lovely message wishing us a happy anniversary. She signed it herself and dated it.”

The date was September 8 — the very day the monarch died and the same date as the Hawthornes’ wedding.

The couple were married on September 8, 1962, in Hackney, London, where they spent two years living before returning to their native Ballynahinch. 

They have three sons, Adrian, Lionel and Kyle. A fourth son, David, sadly died 39 years ago, aged just 21.

Mrs Hawthorne, who is 80, said she couldn’t believe how her sons were able to keep the big surprise from her and her husband, who is 83.

“I really wondered how they got it in without me or Hugh finding out. One of them intercepted it from the postman,” she said.

“It was dated the eighth, the day she died and the day we were married. I believe it must have been one of the greetings last she signed.

“It would have been sent before that date to get here on time so I don’t imagine there would be many more signed the Queen – they’ll be from King Charles from now on.”

Mrs Hawthorne said she will cherish the card. “It’s something to hold on to, even the envelope because it’s stamped as coming from Buckingham Palace,” she added.