Congratulatory messages from Her Majesty

Donald Smith, late Seaforth Highlanders, of Forres on his 100th Birthday

Donald Smith, late Seaforth Highlanders, of Forres on his 100th Birthday

For many people, receiving a congratulatory card from The Queen to mark a significant birthday or wedding anniversary is a very special part of their celebrations.

Since 1917, the Sovereign has sent congratulatory messages to people celebrating notable birthdays and anniversaries. The Queen will send a congratulatory message on the following occasions.

Wedding anniversaries

The Queen sends messages for diamond (60th), 65th and platinum (70th) wedding anniversaries and then every year thereafter.

Her Majesty does not send a message for Silver (25th), Ruby (40th) or Golden (50th) wedding anniversaries.

Birthdays

The Queen sends messages for 100th and 105th birthdays and then every year thereafter.

The Queen’s congratulatory messages consist of a card containing a personalised message with a facsimile signature. The card comes in a special envelope, which is delivered through the normal postal channels.

The delivery of these messages is arranged by the Anniversaries Office, part of the Private Secretary’s Office in the Royal Household, based at Buckingham Palace.

The Pension Service informs the Anniversaries Office of birthdays for recipients of UK State pensions. But, for data privacy reasons, there is no automatic alert from Government records for wedding anniversaries.

A request for residents of Moray may be made by contacting the Lieutenancy Office. If the family wish, a member of the Lieutenancy Team and a local councillor will deliver a card on the day.