The first telegrams of King Charles’ reign were sent to persons celebrating their 100th birthdays.
In contrast to the late Queen’s telegrams to centenarians, which featured her alone, King Charles’s cards include a relaxed-looking monarch and the Queen Consort smiling.
The greeting, signed by both ‘Charles R’ and ‘Camilla R,’ reads, ‘My wife and I are ecstatic to learn that you recently celebrated your 100th birthday. This conveys our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on this momentous occasion.’ The Rs represent Rex, the King, and Regina, the Queen.
The photograph was approved by Buckingham Palace before the Cabinet Office sent out the first telegrams last week.
On September 25, Irene Lloyd of Lymm, Cheshire, celebrated her 100th birthday, and yesterday she became one of the first beneficiaries.
Mrs. Lloyd, who worked on a dairy farm during World War II, exclaimed, “I was ecstatic to get a card from the new King and Queen.” With the passing of the late Queen, I believed that those who were 100 years old at the time may have missed out, so it was a pleasant surprise to receive mine.’
Ian Lloyd, her son and caregiver, presented the card to her when it came. Mr. Lloyd, who is also a royal historian, remarked, “Having anticipated we would see a portrait of an elderly guy in a suit, or at best a uniform, it was wonderful to see a nicer image of the royal couple.”
Prince Philip never appeared on the Queen’s greeting cards, and the last time a monarch and consort transmitted photos of themselves to the public from the Palace was during the war years.
Royal telegrams are sent to people celebrating their 100th and 105th birthdays, followed by everyone else.
Every five years, the image of the monarch on the card is replaced.
The cards of King Charles resemble those of his grandfather, King George VI, which also included his wife, Queen Elizabeth, later known as the Queen Mother.