Britain's oldest man turns 109 years old today but refuses birthday card from Queen because she looks 'miserable'
Centenarian accepted one a few years ago in which Monarch was smiling
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain’s oldest man – who turns 109 today - has refused his birthday cards from the Queen.
Robert Weighton, who was born in Hull in 1908, said the Queen looked “miserable” on her official correspondence.
He has asked not to be sent cards from the Monarch every year because he didn’t want to add to the ones he already has in his Hampshire flat.
"I decided not to receive a card every year from the Queen, because I didn't want a huge collection of cards that I add to every year,” Mr Weighton said.
"However, I did accept one from her two years ago, because it's the only one I'd seen that she was smiling on. In the rest of the cards she looked a bit miserable while on official duties."
However, Mr Weighton is no staunch republican and maintained he “won’t hear a word against” the Queen. He told The i: “I admire her enormously”.
As a young man, Mr Weighton worked as an English teacher in Taiwan , along with his wife, Agnes, who were married in Hong Kong in 1937.
When the Second World War began in 1939, the couple tried to return to the UK but became stranded in Canada and lived in Vancouver for several years. Mr Weighton spent the war decoding Japanese military communications before returning to Britain.
Despite his grand age, Mr Weighton has maintained his independence, occupying himself with hobbies, and said he is “really well”.
He claimed to have no great secret to reaching 109 years. “Everybody wants to know but I have no idea whatsoever why I’m so old – I’m just lucky, I suppose,” he told the newspaper.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments