Scots centenarian 'one of first' to receive birthday card from King Charles III

A care home resident has celebrated her 100th birthday by becoming one of the first people in the country to get a card from King Charles III.

Elsie Cameron has lived at Galahill House in Galashiels, Borders, for the past six years.

To mark the special occasion, the home’s activities manager Tracy McGeown arranged for some special visitors to surprise her with the message from the new monarch.

A representative of the King joined the Borders’ deputy Lord Provost to present Ms Cameron with flowers and her 100th birthday card from His Majesty.

To mark the special occasion, the home's activities manager Tracy McEown arranged for some special visitors to surprise her with the message from the new monarch. — To mark the special occasion, the home’s activities manager Tracy McEown arranged for some special visitors to surprise her with the message from the new monarch. Mansfield Care

Born on September 14, 1922, Mrs Cameron lived through the Second World War and the late monarch Queen Elizabeth’s entire life.

Alison Grant, manager of Galahill House, said the centenarian was one of the home’s “main characters” and is “extremely family-orientated”.

“100 years sounds old, like someone elderly and frail, but that’s not Elsie,” she told STV News.

“Elsie is very active; She goes out walking every day and she takes everything in her stride.”

Mrs Cameron also takes part in chair Tai Chi and balloon tennis, to keep fit.

A lieutenant representing the King handed Mrs Cameron her birthday card when the home threw the surprise party just a week after Charles became the head of state.

“She was absolutely overwhelmed,” said Ms Grant. “She was reading the card and then said, ‘His handwriting is not very good’,” causing laughter among the friends, staff and visitors gathered for her celebration.

“She’s quite a modest lady,” Ms Grant added, “Elsie doesn’t want anything at all, no fuss. She probably is one of the first to receive a card.

“She was really overwhelmed.”

Mrs Cameron was the first person in the Borders to receive the prestigious 100th birthday card and one of the first across the country since Charles became King following the death of the Queen on September 8.

But although it is tradition to receive gifts on your birthday, Mrs Cameron took the opportunity to gift an oak bench to the care home.

Mrs McGeown said the bench would bring “huge pleasure for many residents many years to come” and that Mrs Cameron was so proud that the seat in her honour would “last a lifetime”.