Reaching the milestone age of 100 years old is an incredible achievement. Those who make it to this ripe old age have lived through many historic events and changes in the world. In the United Kingdom and several other Commonwealth realms, citizens who reach 100 years old receive a special congratulatory message from Queen Elizabeth II. This is a cherished tradition that dates all the way back to the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century.
Receiving a 100th birthday message from the Queen is a unique honor that few people get to experience. But what exactly does the message contain and how did this tradition get started? Read on to learn more about this royal custom and see examples of the cards that centenarians receive.
History of Royal 100th Birthday Greetings
The tradition of the British monarch sending congratulatory messages to subjects reaching 100 years old began with Queen Victoria in 1897. She sent a congratulatory telegram to a man named Thomas Peters on his 100th birthday. This kicked off the custom which has continued to present day under Queen Elizabeth II.
Since 1952, Queen Elizabeth II has continued the tradition by sending congratulatory cards and letters to citizens and residents of the Commonwealth who reach 100. In 1917, the Queen Mother Elizabeth (then Duchess of York) began sending special messages to centenarians when she was still a member of the royal family.
The Queen Mother continued sending these birthday greetings even after her daughter Elizabeth became queen in 1952. After the Queen Mother passed away in 2002 at age 101, Queen Elizabeth II took over sending the centenarian messages herself.
In order to receive one of these special royal birthday cards or letters, the 100 year old must request the greeting themselves. The request is coordinated through the Anniversaries Office at Buckingham Palace.
What Does the Message from the Queen Include?
The format of the Queen’s 100th birthday messages has evolved over the years. Traditionally it included a personalized card with a congratulatory message and the Queen’s signature. Here are some details on what the card may contain:
– A photograph of the Queen on the front
– A personalized message congratulating the recipient on reaching 100 years old
– The Queen’s signature
– A special seal or marking indicating it’s an official message from the sovereign
In addition to a card, recipients sometimes also receive a personalized letter from the Queen commemorating their milestone birthday. Both the card and letter are specially printed on thick, high quality paper bearing a royal insignia.
More recently, the Queen has started sending centenarians a special commemorative coin along with the card. The £5 coin features an updated portrait of Her Majesty on one side. The other side depicts an image representing the recipient’s 100 years of life in the UK.
Examples of 100th Birthday Messages
To give an idea of what the Queen’s congratulatory cards and letters look like, here are transcriptions of a few that have been shared publicly over the years:
2009 example:
“I am so pleased to know that you are celebrating your one hundredth birthday on 3rd November, 2009. I send my congratulations and best wishes to you on such a special occasion.”
2014 example:
“I am delighted to know that you are celebrating your one hundredth birthday on 14th June, 2014. I send my best wishes to you on such a special occasion.”
2018 example:
“My congratulations and best wishes to you on your one hundredth birthday. I am pleased to know you will be celebrating this special milestone surrounded by your family and friends.”
The personalized message is always written in the Queen’s distinctive handwriting and signed Elizabeth R.
Who is Eligible to Receive a 100th Birthday Greeting?
The eligibility requirements to receive one of the Queen’s congratulatory messages for turning 100 are relatively broad. Here is an overview of who can request a 100th birthday card or letter:
– Citizens of the United Kingdom who are celebrating their 100th birthday.
– Citizens of any of the Commonwealth realms where Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch. This includes Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
– British citizens living abroad or foreign nationals who are celebrating their 100th birthday in the UK.
The 100th birthday request is coordinated through the British Embassy in the country where the centenarian resides. The only exception is in the UK, where the request goes directly through Buckingham Palace.
To request the royal birthday greeting, documentation must be provided as proof that the 100th birthday is legitimate. This usually includes an official ID and birth certificate. The request should be submitted up to a month in advance to allow time for processing.
Unfortunately, there is no way to request a 100th birthday greeting from the Queen for someone who has already passed that milestone birthday. The message can only be sent on the 100th birthday itself.
Why Does the Queen Send 100th Birthday Greetings?
This tradition started over 120 years ago, so why does Queen Elizabeth II continue sending birthday messages to new centenarians each year? Here are some of the reasons behind this custom:
– To honor citizens who have lived such exceptionally long lives and all the history they have witnessed. Becoming a centenarian is still a relatively rare feat today.
– To uphold an ancient tradition dating back to the Victorian era and continue the legacy of past monarchs. The Queen is deeply connected to history and customs of the British crown.
– To show that the monarch still cares about and acknowledges regular citizens, not just prominent public figures. Reaching 100 is a major milestone for any person.
– To celebrate the human longevity made possible by modern medicine and improved living standards. More people are now reaching 100 than ever before.
– To represent stability, continuity, and the ongoing reign of the monarch. The Queen maintains traditions that link modern Britain to its past.
Overall, the custom symbolizes both the longevity of the monarchy as well as the people it serves. For the recipients, a 100th birthday message from the Queen is a heartwarming memento from the nation’s longest ruling monarch.
Notable Recipients of 100th Birthday Greetings
While most recipients of the Queen’s 100th birthday greetings are everyday citizens, some notable public figures have also joined the centenarian club and received messages. Here are a few of the prominent people who got congratulatory notes from Queen Elizabeth II:
– British actor Sir John Mills was sent a card and letter from the Queen for his 100th birthday in 2008.
– War hero Harry Patch received a 100th birthday coin and letter when he turned 100 in 2007. He was one of the last surviving British veterans from World War I.
– Fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore was honored by the Queen on his 100th birthday in 2020. He had raised millions for healthcare workers at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
– British actress Dame Vera Lynn reached 100 in 2017 and received a private birthday message from the Queen along with public honors.
– Comedian George Burns was sent a telegram from Queen Elizabeth II for his 100th birthday in 1996, despite being American.
– Activist Niall Mellon got a handwritten letter from the Queen for his 100th birthday in 2021 recognizing his charity work building homes in South Africa.
Centenarians from all walks of life cherish their personal congratulatory messages from Queen Elizabeth II. For high-profile recipients, it represents recognition of their contributions and achievements over their long lives.
Number of Messages Sent Each Year
On average, Queen Elizabeth II sends out approximately 1,500 centenary congratulatory messages per year. The Anniversaries Office handles sending the cards and letters to eligible 100 year olds.
The number of recipients has grown substantially during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign in line with rising life expectancies and population growth. Here are some figures on how many congratulatory messages the Queen has sent each decade:
| Decade | Approximate Number of 100th Birthday Messages Sent |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 200 per year |
| 1960s | 300 per year |
| 1970s | 500 per year |
| 1980s | 700 per year |
| 1990s | 1,000 per year |
| 2000s | 1,500 per year |
| 2010s | 2,000 per year |
As the population ages, the Queen could potentially be sending out thousands more birthday messages in future decades. However, she has no plans to end this cherished tradition anytime soon.
Conclusion
Reaching the age of 100 is still a relatively unique accomplishment today. Those who achieve this milestone have lived through a century of incredible change in the world. Becoming a centenarian remains worthy of honor and celebration.
For citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms who reach this landmark birthday, receiving a personal congratulatory message from Queen Elizabeth II is the ultimate honor. This tradition spanning back to the Victorian era is a royal rite of passage reserved for the most senior citizens.
The custom continues today due to the Queen’s deep respect for history and commitment to recognizing her people at all stages of life. For the fortunate few who reach 100 years old during her reign, a birthday greeting from the Queen will surely be one of the most memorable mementos of their exceptionally long lives.