Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court couple celebrate 72nd wedding anniversary with a card from the King and the Queen
22 June 2023
22 June 2023
Two residents at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Berkshire, recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. Tony and Norah Cleave received a bouquet of flowers and well wishes from fellow residents, staff members and loved ones. They also obtained a card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, congratulating them on their remarkable milestone. Both Tony and Norah were delighted, as the surprise made their day even more special.
When asked about their love story, they both clearly remember how it all began.
They were destined to meet on a dance floor in Liverpool. Norah had never been to the city dance before and, on her first visit, she met the love of her life. Tony, who was not used to the tradition of the Ladies’ Request, asked Norah to dance, rather than the other way around. He says:
She looked very attractive and caught my eye. I wanted to get a dance with her before anyone else did!
“We chatted throughout the evening, and we talked about absolutely everything. We were made for each other from day one,” they both say. Tony then offered to see Norah home. “But Tony had never been to Liverpool before. He had no idea how long the journey would be!” says Norah.
Another twist to the start of the romance happened when Tony and Norah arrived at the bus stop. Norah’s parents, her sister and boyfriend were all there, so Tony met the family within hours of meeting Norah. “I was vetted… and passed the test!”, he laughs. This was the start of a close bond with the family. Only a few years later, Norah and her sister had a double wedding with their respective partners.
After their wedding, Norah and Tony were blessed with three children: eldest son, Adrian, followed by twins, Pamela and Nigel. He says proudly:
Our children have contributed to society, are well behaved, law-abiding and all have been successful in life. I could ask for no more.
When asked about the secret to a happy marriage, both agree that there is no magic solution. The key, they say, is compromise and taking care of each other. “Doing as I’m told helps too”, Tony says jokingly, while Norah looks at him with a cheeky smile.
Norah proudly holds up the card they received from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Sharon Fletcher, one of the Home’s Activities Coordinators, says:
Their bond is as strong today as it always has been, and everyone at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court was delighted to be part of their special day.
Norah and Tony are certainly delightful residents. They are so involved in the Home’s activities! They are a joy to have a round, and they’re always happy to try any task, event or creative work that we do at the Home.
Abigail Cranston, Home Manager at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, says:
We are so delighted to be able to share this special day with Norah and Tony. They were so proud to receive a card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, celebrating their 72 years as a married couple. What an incredible achievement. Congratulations!
[Summary: Tony and Norah Cleave, two residents at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Berkshire, recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. They received a card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, congratulating them on their remarkable milestone.]