Qualifying for a Telegram from the Queen

Author: Jack Claridge

There are many stories in the news regarding individuals who have received a telegram from the Queen but not everyone is entirely sure as to why this might be. Is it simply because they have reached the age of 100?

The History of the Queen’s Telegram

The monarch has been sending telegrams relating to specific events since 1917; the purpose of which is to celebrate and mark in some special way the fact that a milestone age or anniversary has been reached in an individual or couple’s life.

How Do I Qualify for a Telegram from the Queen?

You will qualify for a telegram from the Queen if you are one hundred years old. All centenarians receive a telegram and this is arranged and carried out by the Anniversaries office, which is part of the Queen’s private staff.

You will also receive a telegram from her Majesty once you reach the age of one hundred and five and every year after that you will receive one as well.

Anniversaries

Couples celebrating specific anniversaries also qualify for a telegram from the Queen and indeed within these couples there may well be a centenarian who is also celebrating their one hundredth birthday.

Wedding anniversaries are marked by the Queen and the Anniversaries Office once a couple have reached their diamond wedding anniversary; a diamond anniversary marks a 60th year of marriage and a telegram is received. However unlike the telegram received to mark a centenarian’s birthday an application must be made by the family of the couple celebrating their wedding anniversary.

In addition a telegram will be sent on the 65th wedding anniversary and on the 70th wedding anniversary and every year after that.

How Does The Anniversaries Office Know it's my Birthday?

This information is provided to the Anniversaries Office via the Pensions service who will have all the information relating to the dates of births of anyone nearing or having reached the age of one hundred. However as we have already mentioned the Pensions service do not have information relating to wedding anniversaries so it is up to the couples themselves or their families to inform the Queen's private secretary of such upcoming events.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

How Do I Apply for a Telegram?

You can do this by visiting the Royal Family’s website at www.royal.gov.uk or by contacting the Chief Clerk at Buckingham Palace – the address to do so can be found on the website address listed.

Why Receiving a Telegram is Something Special?

Receiving a telegram from the monarch is considered a special event because it marks a milestone in the lives of those individuals who receive them. Unfortunately the demographic of the population is such at the moment that the number of centenarians is dropping in number so to reach the age to receive one is something special in itself.

The other reason receiving a telegram from the Queen is special is because it is something that not everyone receives. The purpose of the telegram is to highlight the life of the individual receiving it and also to highlight the fact that these individuals have played an important part in the history of the United Kingdom.

16 questions

Ask The Centenarian a Question

annie 07/10/2020 at 10:14 am

Hi , a friend of mine turned 100 last year , she s loves in the in the uk since she was a little girl but holds an irish passport as she was born there . She received the generous cheque from the irish government but was told because she held an irish passport even at the age of 100 she would not get the letter from the queen . Did she mishear or does anyone know if this is correct
Many thanks Annie

Janey 24/07/2020 at 11:55 pm

I’m a bit confused with 100th birthdays My aunt will be. 100 in oct Do we need to apply for the telegram/ birthday card or will she automatically get It if she’s receiving pension She would be devastated if she didn’t receive it On time

Debb 30/01/2020 at 6:40 pm

I am requesting a 100th Birthday for an American Woman, my mother HAZEL DURHAM BACON. She has as many Americans followed the English Monarchy since she was a child. She has buried her husband, and two of her daughters. I am one of two daughters left to care for my mother.
Hazel has traveled the world playing Bridge with many alccolades for her competitions.
Hazel was born March 14, 1920 in the South. From poverty she empowered herself to get to Detroit and worked, became an emprender. As a Caterer and her husband Robert Bacon working for Chrysler Corp raised 4 daughters lived in Palmer Park, involved in many clubs, Church Activities, and love the Queen from the time she took on as the reigning Royal to present day.
I’m hoping the Queen can send a card, letter, or telegram beyond her own people, but to her admirers around the world.
Respectfully Submitted
DEBORAH BACON

10828 N Biltmore Drive Apt 261
Phoenix, Arizona 85029

Gina 21/01/2020 at 1:39 pm

It would have been my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary this year and they were looking forward to receiving this,however my Grandfather passed away a couple weeks ago. He even mentioned how excited he was to getting their Telegraph from the Queen, a few days before he died-would there still be a chance that we could apply for the telegram in his memory?thankyou

Shorty 16/09/2019 at 11:49 am

Hello, my mother received a 100th birthday telegram from Queen in 2000. As my mum took her stepdads surname I have been unable to find out her birth surname so as to obtain a copy of a birth certificate. The Department for Works and Pensions notified Buckingham Palace of this event and must have had any records of her birth name given that she would have been born in 1900. Someone in that department MUST know all these details in order for the telegram via the Queen to get sent.Anyone know how I can get these details from works and pensions. Thanking anyone who is able to help in advance. Richard Shortman.

Hazey 10/05/2019 at 6:43 pm

Our uncle Kennedy Marks was born in northern Ireland and served in the army 1939/1945. He moved to Spain 35 years ago and is currently in a care home there. He will be 100 on the 2nd August 2019. Will he be able to receive a telegram from the Queen. I would appreciate a response from you.
Regards
Hazel Marks

Max 27/01/2019 at 6:26 am

Hi my grandmother is turning 100 in August this year 2019. She lives in Australia and receiives a pension. What do I need to do to arrange a letter / telegram from the Queen. Thank you

Bertie 24/07/2018 at 10:28 am

My Mother is 100 yearsold 4/8/2018. We had a visit from a gentleman named Chris from Pensions to see her birth certificate and was told that we would receive a phone call 2weeks before her birthday . Unfortunately I have mislaid the phone number and no pensions number can help me. HOW DO I FIND OUT IF SHE WILL
RECEIVE A CARD Getting worried ,

Buttie 27/05/2018 at 7:21 pm

I am trying to find an Auntie I have payed for a search turn up nothing and no death. She was born Ruth William 7/7/1912 in Devonport. I wonder if I could find out if she received a card from the Queen, is there anyway I can find out.

TheCentenarian Editor 10/01/2018 at 11:21 am

You could try contacting The Palace and making the request but they do usually only send them for centenarians and every fifth birthday thereafter.

MJKRS2K 07/01/2018 at 4:39 pm

Hi, just wondering if you can help me. My nan 95 and currently has been given days. The family are taking it in turn to sit with her night and day. Her one thing was to see her grandchildren get married and get a letter from the queen at 100. At this point we know she will not make it. Would you please help us with if possibly sending a note of some sort so at least we know she got something.

Lindsay Wilks 13/09/2017 at 1:33 am

My great grandmother is extremly unwell and her dying wish has always been to have the telegram from the queen. She is 98 and 99 in December. Is there anything I can do? Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Amex 14/07/2017 at 8:58 pm

Can I get a copy of telegram?
Brother and sister both want to keep it (

TheCentenarian Editor 29/06/2017 at 11:43 am

If she's originally from the UK (was born here), you can still apply for one on her behalf. All the detail are in the form here

Karlee 28/06/2017 at 11:33 am

Hi my grandmother Peggy Phillips is turning 100 on the 27th September 2017. She currently lives in South Africa. What do I have to do to get a letter from the queen?

Bev V 30/05/2017 at 5:32 pm

I have been friends with a Greek Cypryot lady who will be 100 on 20th August 2017 she has lived in England since her early twenties will she receive a telegram from the Queen ?
If so when do I apply ?

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