Diamond couple will renew their wedding vows
Tuesday, 4.10pm - A COUPLE who celebrated their diamond wedding yesterday (June 2) recently enjoyed the 'highlight of their lives'.
Tuesday, 4.10pm - A COUPLE who celebrated their diamond wedding yesterday (June 2) recently enjoyed the 'highlight of their lives'.Hilda Whatley was with her husband Arthur at Park House in the Sandringham Estate two years ago when they met the Queen on an unofficial visit.
The Queen and Prince Phillip were visiting to see the hoist which had been installed to transfer patients from the bed to the bathroom.
Hilda, 79, recalled: "Princess Diana was born at Park House and we were actually staying in the room where she was born
"The Queen came in and asked where I lived and we had a bit of a chat. It was just like talking to my next door neighbour.
"Both of them were so natural- just like any other husband and wife.
"Afterwards we actually had people asking if they could shake hands with us because we had shaken hands with the Queen.
"It was a great day and definitely the highlight of our lives."
Hilda and Arthur, of Ventnor Avenue, were married in London. They only moved to Grantham because of an unusual twist of fate.
When their first son was born in 1953 with asthma, the couple were told by doctors to move away from the capital to avoid the smog. But the move didn't help matters.
Arthur, 81, remembered: "We moved to Grantham but he was actually worse off her because of all the industry here. In the end we had to send him to an asthmatic boarding school in Norfolk."
Despite the stuttering start, the couple have remained in Grantham ever since.
They have two sons, Arthur and Steve, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The pair plan to renew their wedding vows in a three-day celebration - just like their wedding.
Hilda said: "We should have gone to his auntie's in Swindon after we were married but the wedding just went on and on.
"I have four older brothers and they brought their own barrels of beer. Plus it was so hot so we just went on and on celebrating.
"We're hoping to do something similar this week."
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Hilda and Arthur Whatley will celebrate their diamond wedding by renewing their vows. Photo: 8863 K879
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Wednesday 17 March 2010
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