Queen's new-look card is just the ticket (From Herald Series)

Queen's new-look card is just the ticket

6:33pm Monday 23rd November 2009

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SHE had to wait until her 110th birthday – but an Oxfordshire woman has been sent a very special card.

Catherine Masters, known as ‘Katie’, had grumbled that that the past five birthday cards she received from the Queen all featured the same photograph.

And she even urged Prince William to do something about it when he called in to see her earlier this year at the Grange Care Home, in Stanford in the Vale.

But yesterday, as Mrs Masters celebrated her 110th birthday, she was delighted to receive a card with a picture of Her Majesty in a blue outfit.

Mrs Masters, who is thought to be the second oldest person in the country, said: “It’s absolutely perfect. Blue is my favourite colour and I think the Queen looks much nicer.

“We had been taking bets on what colour it would be. I think Prince William must have told her it was about time she wore a new frock.

“It’s incredible to reach 110. There’s no secret to my long life. I just have regular visits from my grandson, who lives down the road.”

In May, Mrs Masters received a surprise visit from the Prince at the care home after he heard about her concerns over the Royal greetings card.

He shared tea and scones with Mrs Masters during a 40-minute visit and agreed it was time his grandmother had a wardrobe change.

Mrs Masters’ grandson Robert McInnes, 47, who lives in Longworth, also celebrated his birthday yesterday.

He said: “I think she’s amazing. It’s unbelievable to think she has lived in three centuries and my children can say they remember someone from the 19th century.

“Her other grandson has sent a video message from South Africa and we’re planning a nice family lunch, which I’m sure she will enjoy.”

Anel Viljoen, who takes care of Mrs Masters at the home, said: “I’m just so happy the dress was a different colour, because it’s all Katie’s been talking about.

“She has received five cards in a row all the same, so I said if this one was the same, I would colour it in myself.”

Twice-married Mrs Masters, who was born in Dundee, had a son Kenneth and has two grandsons, Robert and David McInnes, three great-grandchildren, Josh, Isobel, Fiona, stepdaughter Carol Bostock-Smith and two stepgrand-daughters, Claire and Rachel.

She was born in November 1899, while Queen Victoria was still on the throne.

wantage@oxfordmail.co.uk

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