Do people who turn 100 years old still get letters from the Palace?

[Dustyblue]

I've just been explaining 'death' to my DS9 (ouch) and along the way I mentioned to him that my great great Grandmother received a letter from the Queen on her 100th birthday.

We're in Australia and the family was very excited. I was a small child but still remember how chuffed everyone was, including the postman 😍

Does this still happen?

I think you need to apply for them.

Our neighbours got one for an anniversary (60th i think?)

Yes but you need to apply for them online, you can get them for 60 & 65th wedding anniversaries, 100th birthday, 105th etc

www.gov.uk/get-birthday-anniversary-message-from-king

I remember seeing a newspaper article sbout this A while ago at 100, 105 and every birthday thereafter. I think it was about the oldest woman in the UK she had 7 or 8 and they were identical, clearly palace had ordered a job lot!

Yes you get them at 100. They come automatically now through your NI number, there's no need to apply. My mil got a lovely card from Charles and Camilla just after he ascended the throne.

There was a nice news story a good few years back. A lady who was about 104 wrote to the late Queen that she was fed up with receiving the same card from the Queen every year.

The Queen, who clearly had huge tolerance for elderly grouches or perhaps felt that it was a fair enough complaint, sent Prince William in person to see the lady armed with a new card and flowers 😁

For birthday you only have to apply if you are not resident in the UK or don't get the state pension.

I love that story. I think they should change the wording and the picture! With modern technology, it wouldn't be hard to track.

They are nice big colourful cards. My neughbours got one when they had their Golden Wedding.

My aunt and uncle received a card last year from the King for their Diamond Wedding Anniversary (60 years). My cousin threw them a surprise party - it was a lovely event. Next week they will have been married for 61 years.

You apply on line with proof and get a nice card by special delivery.

A family member has had one at 100, 105, 106 & 107. So I you get one every year after 105

It's a card from the monarch and also a telegram from the secretary of state for social security, well it was in the naughties as my Nan live to 105, so we have two of each in the family.

My gran got hers a couple of years ago- a photo of Charles and Camilla on the front and a printed signature. She was very sniffy about it, didnt feel it was classy enough and was threatening to put it in the recycling, so I now have it!

You dont get them for Golden Wedding Anniversaries. The first one you can apply for is your 60th

All very interesting, thanks!

A friend's Mum turned 100 a few years ago and didn't get one. Seems like Australians and people in other Commonwealth countries would definitely have to apply. I can't see how they could keep up with all these birthdays etc across the world!

No idea how my GG Grandma managed to get one- someone must've applied I guess.

Edited- I just realised it was my great grandma, not great great.

I think if you are resident in n the UK you usually get one automatically if you reach your 100th birthday.

For other major occasions family can apply to Buckingham Palace to have one sent. We did that for my parents' diamond wedding anniversary (60 years) and they got one on the day.

I would presume everyone has to apply otherwise they wouldn't know where to send the cards too

I'm pretty certain my DM had to apply for my Granny's 100th.

It says on the website, you automatically get it if you claim state pension. If you're claiming state pension, they know where you live.

I think they must have got more 'joined up'.

No need to guess on this one, there is guidance on the .gov.uk website

https://www.gov.uk/get-birthday-anniversary-message-from-king

My parents got a card from QE2 on their diamond anniversary, then one five years later from the King and Queen. I had to apply but the second time I was told to ring Buckingham Palace as my parents were already on the database.

My mum and dad got one for their 60th anniversary. I had it framed for them too. I think they were slightly disappointed it was from KC rather than QE. It’s a quirky photo in their dining room!

Do people actually WANT these letters? I suppose some must if you have to apply. I wonder if they didn't send any automatically how many people would go out of their way to sign up for one.

Exactly. The DWP's computer system knows the ages of us pensioners, so if you're on State Retirement Pension IT knows when your 100th is coming up. In the olden days, before the social security system was computerised, human beings used to make notes in pen when a 100th birthday was in the offing.