Couple mark 70 years on Valentine's Day with card from King Charles

Ralph and Pauline Harding of Devizes were married on the special day in 1953 and were sent a card by King Charles III congratulating them on the momentous achievement.

The pair met each other in 1949 through playing sport in the town and it was not long after seeing his would-be wife that Ralph, 96, took a risk in asking her out.

“I was playing in the Devizes hockey team and she was in the Devizes tennis team so that’s how I saw her, but she was also playing in the woman’s hockey team with my sister,” he said.

“One day I was driving past and saw Pauline delivering a letter for Barclays bank, who she worked for at the time, and I stopped to ask her out to a party!”

The couple received a very special card to mark the occasion. (Image: Sarah Harding)

Pauline, 93, accepted the bold invitation and the pair had a 'smashing time' at the party - and have never looked back since.

“I said yes and I was all of a shake,” she said.

“We danced and danced all night. Most of our courting was dancing now that I think of it.”

The couple married at the congregational church in Devizes and held their reception in the town hall.

They had four children between the years of 1954 and 1961, which they believe was the highlight of their years together, alongside their adventures abroad.

“We have been lucky enough to have four lovely children,” said Pauline.

“Alongside the sport that we have enjoyed together, we travelled a lot too, with a trip to the Italian Riviera for our honeymoon.

“The Italians were very anti-English then as they would not carry our cases and they spat in the road but we now have an Italian neighbour who is lovely so times have changed!”

Ralph and Pauline were married on Valentines Day in 1953. (Image: Sarah Harding)

“We think it is an honour to receive the card from the King, it's really beautiful,” said Ralph.

“It came as a bit of a surprise and even the postwoman congratulated us!

“I believe he will be a very good king as he is sensitive and will take on well from his mother.”

Although the couple were married on Valentine's Day, the annual day of celebrating love, they insist that this was purely by fluke and not planned.

“It just happened to be that day as we definitely did not plan it,” said Pauline.

“We wanted it to be a Saturday and that was when Valentine's Day was that year.”

The couple are as happier as ever nowadays, 74 years on from first meeting. (Image: Sarah Harding)

When asked how they are planning to celebrate the special milestone this week, the couple jested before revealing their special plans.

“I won’t be doing much as at 96 I don’t feel like doing anything,” laughed Ralph.

“We actually will be returning top the town hall at the same place and time that our reception was all those years ago, to mark the occasion.”

There are set to be over 70 guests attending the event at 2pm on Tuesday and the pair are grateful for this and for the years that they have spent together so far.

“I’ve enjoyed every second and I’d do it all again,” said Pauline.

“We would like another card from the King so we are hoping to make it to 100 years next time!”