The Anniversaries Office has now officially reopened after the first round of cards from the new King were sent out last week. People who are looking to receive a congratulatory message from the King and Queen Consort, for themselves or a family or friend, are now able to apply for one. Current citizens of Commonwealth realms or UK Overseas Territories. Commonwealth realms are countries where the King is Head of State. The King sends messages of congratulations for Diamond (60th), 65th and Platinum (70th) wedding anniversaries and every year thereafter. His Majesty also arranges messages for 100th, 105th birthdays and every year thereafter. 2. Can a message be sent after the anniversary/birthday has passed? The Anniversaries Office accepts postal applications for wedding and birthday messages no sooner than three weeks before the celebration. (A two week extension can be allowed for holiday periods i.e Christmas and Easter). It is possible to apply online up to 5 weeks before. 4. I am applying for an anniversary message and cannot supply a copy of the marriage certificate. Can I still apply without it? Please note - unfortunately the Anniversaries Office are unable to accept applications made via courier. Wedding Anniversary Messages

It is possible to request a message be delivered up to a maximum of 5 days before the event. 9. The celebrant(s) live(s) overseas. Can I still apply for a message? (Excluding Australia, Canada and New Zealand) It is acceptable for the Anniversaries Office to receive the certificate copy in two halves or on A3 paper. However, please ensure you have copied the left hand side of the certificate stating the marriage/birth place and date along with the celebrant(s) name(s). 14. Is it possible to arrange an anniversary/birthday message to be sent posthumously? Cards are sent to those celebrating their diamond wedding (60th), 65th, 70th wedding anniversaries and every year thereafter. Their Majesties’ congratulatory messages consist of a card containing a personalised message and are sent via Royal Mail. To update any other benefit record, report a change in circumstances. If the person does not get a State Pension or other benefit or does not live in the UK 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.It is possible to receive a belated message up to six months after the event. Unfortunately, it is not possible to arrange a message for an event which took place more than six months previously. However, it may be possible to arrange a message for the anniversary/birthday the following year - an application should be made as usual, three weeks before the next anniversary/birthday. 3. How soon can I apply for a message from The King? The Centenarian Team at the Department for Work and Pensions also work with the Anniversaries office to help notify them of citizens approaching their 100th birthday. This helps to ensure everyone will be receive a message from the monarch.

The oldest ever recipient of a message from The Queen was a Canadian gentleman, who reached the age of 116 in December 1984. His Majesty only sends messages to people who are current citizens of Her Realms and UK Overseas Territories. It would therefore be necessary for you to supply the Anniversaries Office with proof of the celebrant(s) British Nationality (i.e A photocopy of a current or recent British Passport). 10. The celebrant(s) live(s) in Australia, Canada, or New Zealand. What do I need to do?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: