Introduction Each year, thousands of birthday and wedding anniversary cards are sent on behalf of The Queen to people celebrating significant birthdays and wedding anniversaries. Please note that due to operating restrictions caused by COVID-19 measures, our capacity to deal with all message applications is currently reduced and our ability to send messages is limited. Wedding anniversary message applications are currently delayed by a number of weeks, applications submitted online and by post since April are being processed as quickly as possible but are severely delayed. If you have made an application in the last several weeks, you will receive email confirmation when the application is processed and a belated message will be sent as soon as possible. Birthday messages continue to be processed as normal, the Centenarian Team at the Department for Work and Pensions pass celebrant’s details direct to the Anniversaries Office so that a congratulatory message can be arranged. We are sorry for the disappointment this may cause, thank you for your patience and understanding. Apply online now The delivery of these messages is arranged by the Anniversaries Office at Buckingham Palace, continuing a tradition which goes back to 1917. Cards are sent to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter, and to those celebrating their diamond wedding (60th), 65th, 70th wedding anniversaries and every year thereafter. Who is eligible for 100th birthday cards and how do I apply? Only current citizens of Her Majesty’s Realms (countries where The Queen is Head of State) or UK Overseas Territories are eligible to receive messages. Click on 'eligible countries' in the menu for a comprehensive list. Cards are sent to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter. The Queen's congratulatory messages consist of a card containing a personalised message and come in a special envelope. The Centenarian Team at the Department for Work and Pensions notify the Anniversaries Office of those approaching their birthday to ensure everyone receives a message. For further information, please download the form below or contact the Anniversaries Office. If you wish to make an application you can either apply online at apply.royal.uk OR download a PDF of the relevant form and apply by post: birthday_form_with_faqs_jan_20.pdf Please note - unfortunately the Anniversaries Office are unable to accept applications made via courier. Who is eligible for wedding anniversary cards and how do I apply? Only current citizens of Commonwealth realms (countries where The Queen is Head of State) or UK Overseas Territories are eligible to receive messages. Click on 'eligible countries' in the menu for a comprehensive list. Cards are sent to those celebrating their diamond wedding (60th), 65th, 70th wedding anniversaries and every year thereafter. The Queen's congratulatory messages consist of a card containing a personalised message and come in a special envelope.

To make sure that a message is sent for wedding anniversaries, an application needs to be made by a relative or friend in advance of the special day. You can either apply online at apply.royal.gov.uk OR download a PDF of the relevant form and apply by post: download_a_wedding_message_application_form.pdf Please note - unfortunately the Anniversaries Office are unable to accept applications made via courier.

History The tradition of sending a message of congratulations to those celebrating their 100th birthday and 60th wedding anniversaries began with King George V. A message from 1917 reads: 'His Majesty's hope that the blessings of good health and prosperity may attend you during the remainder of your days.' Originally, congratulatory messages were sent as telegrams, though the format of messages has changed over the years, reflecting the developing tastes and fashions of the times, and changes in the postal system.

Special stories From time to time, The Queen sends unique anniversary messages to mark special occasions. For 1997 only, The Queen sent messages of congratulations to all those who were married in the same year as Her Majesty, to mark their golden wedding anniversaries, and in 2007 over 18,000 couples celebrating their diamond wedding anniversaries received a specially-worded joint congratulatory message from The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. Occasionally, messages have been sent to well-known or unusual recipients, perhaps the most famous of which was Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who received an official 100th birthday greeting from her daughter in 2000. The former ballerina Dame Ninette de Valois received a message wishing her 'a very happy day' in June 1998. In May 2002, an event in Israel was held to celebrate Israel's 600 centenarians, inspired by the custom of The Queen's birthday messages. A message from The Queen was sent to the guests, saying: 'I am delighted to be able to send my very best wishes on the occasion of this morning's celebration to honour the centenarians of Israel.'

Eligible countries Only current citizens of Commonwealth realms (countries where The Queen is Head of State) or UK Overseas Territories are eligible to receive messages. Realms: Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Canada

Grenada

Jamaica

New Zealand

Papua New Guinea

Solomon Islands

St. Christopher and Nevis

St. Lucia

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Tuvalu

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland UK Overseas Territories: Anguilla

Bermuda

British Antarctic Territory

British Indian Ocean Territory

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Falkland Islands

Gibraltar

Montserrat

Pitcairn Group of Islands

St. Helena and its dependencies

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus (air bases)

Turks and Caicos Islands

Applications for Australian, Canadian or New Zealand residents Applications for residents of Australia, Canada and New Zealand should be sent to the relevant Governor-General, who, as The Queen's personal representative in these countries, arranges for these messages to be sent. Contact details are as follows: Australia

His Excellency the Governor-General

Government House

Canberra

Australian Capital Territories 2600

Australia

Fax: (0061) 2 6281 3760

Website: www.gg.gov.au Canada

His Excellency the Governor-General

Rideau Hall

1 Sussex Drive

Ottawa

Ontario K1A 0A1

Canada

Fax: (0016) 1 3990 7636

Website: www.gg.ca New Zealand

His Excellency the Governor-General

Government House

Wellington

New Zealand

Fax: (006) 4 4389 5536

Website: www.dia.govt.nz