King’s card is in the post as Rachel, 105, celebrates

Still laughing at the age of 105, Rachel Gorman will get a special birthday card from King Charles as the new monarch catches up.

Buckingham Palace said yesterday the death of Queen Elizabeth has meant delays in the delivery of the monarch’s traditional celebratory cards but aides have promised that Rachel, originally from Drumchapel, in Glasgow, will still get her card from the King.

A beautiful bouquet of flowers was sent by Glasgow’s Lord Lieutenant, Provost Jacqueline McLaren, for Rachel’s special birthday last week.

It is understood the new King has still to choose the cards he will personally sign to wish happy returns to all subjects reaching their 100th and 105th birthdays.

The tradition dates back to 1917 and, as well as marking special birthdays, cards are sent to couples celebrating 60th, 65th and 70th wedding anniversaries.

But due to the death of Queen Elizabeth, the service has been halted temporarily.

Buckingham Palace said it could not discuss individual recipients but confirmed: “Anyone who has made an application for a birthday or anniversary card will receive one in due course.”

Rachel Gorman, who puts her long life down to never having married, will be one of the first in the country to receive one of the King’s 105th cards.

She said: “I remember when I was a little girl, Drumchapel was only a village with 13 houses and a church, not the thousands of houses there are today.

“I have enjoyed my life and still do. I never needed a man, a husband to tell me what to do. I think that is why I still feel so young.”

During the Second World War, Rachel was a Lumber Jill, feeling trees in Fort William and across the Highlands to help the war effort. Afterwards she pursued a career as a tree surgeon, using the skills she had learned during wartime.

Rachel looked after herself until four years ago when she moved to Quayside Care Home in Yoker, Glasgow where staff and residents celebrated her special birthday with a party, cake and balloons. Home administrator Carla Ferguson paid tribute to the centenarian, saying: “Rachel is a real sweetheart and we love hearing the stories of her life.

“She was the youngest of six children, and sadly lost her mother when she was just three years old. Although she has some hearing loss, Rachel is simply remarkable for her age.”