Wick care home resident gets 100th birthday card from the King
There was a special delivery for Wick care home resident Cathie Christian today as she received her 100th birthday card from King Charles III.
Cathie celebrated her centenary with staff, relatives, friends and other residents of Seaview House at an afternoon tea party on Saturday.
The card from the new monarch was delayed by a few days but everyone at the home was said to be "buzzing" after postman Michael Aitken called in with the envelope. It was postmarked Buckingham Palace with the date of October 21.
The card was signed by the King and the Queen Consort.
The King's message said: “My wife and I are so pleased to know that you are celebrating your one hundredth birthday on 22nd October 2022. This brings our warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes on such a special occasion.”
Staff at Seaview House believe that Cathie is the first centenarian in Caithness to receive a card from King Charles III.
Activities coordinator Mandy Wilson said: "The home was buzzing today when we received Cathie's card from the new King, as most staff and residents had never seen one before."
General manager Gayle Magennis showed Cathie the card and read the message to her.
The posting of messages to mark significant birthdays and anniversaries is a royal tradition that dates back to 1917 and the reign of George V, when those celebrating their 100th birthday or 60th wedding anniversary were sent a telegram of good wishes.
Thousands of cards are now sent from Buckingham Palace every year to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter, and to those celebrating their 60th, 65th and 70th wedding anniversaries and every year thereafter.
During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, approximately 1.3 million cards were sent to mark birthdays and anniversaries.
The photograph of the King and Queen Consort that appears on the birthday cards was taken in 2018.
Seaview House is run by Barchester Healthcare. The home provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 42 residents, from respite care to long-term stays.