TWO childhood sweethearts have reminisced after they were one of the last people to receive a telegram from the Queen, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

Patricia and David Edwards, met in their early teens when they attended the same school. The couple got married on June 27, 1962, in Stratford, East London - where they are both originally from. 

Sixty years later, two days before the couple's anniversary on June 25 they were over the moon when they discovered a telegram from the Queen was delivered through their door at their home in Oakley.  

Patricia, 78, said: "It was such a surprise and shock for us to receive the telegram from the Queen, which we will treasure as a special memory of both her and our anniversary.

Basingstoke Gazette: A photograph of the telegram Patricia and David recieved for their 60th Diamond Wedding Anniversary.A photograph of the telegram Patricia and David recieved for their 60th Diamond Wedding Anniversary. (Image: Public)

"It just felt so special for me to receive that, even more so now with everything that has gone on. I just couldn't help but think we possibly could have been one of the last ones to receive a telegram, because I don't think a lot of people know that the Queen did send telegrams out for diamond wedding anniversaries and not just a 100th birthday."

Patricia and David received the telegram from Her Majesty on David's 77th birthday at midday, ahead of going out for a family meal with their two children and four grandchildren, which Patricia said made their day. 

She added: "I could tell by the envelope that something special was inside, so I was very cautious when opening the telegram. It was just such a big, amazing surprise!

"Receiving the telegram and seeing the coverage of Her Majesty's funeral on TV, has just brought me closer to her than I ever was before."