World’s Oldest Newlyweds Exchange Vows In Britain
The world’s oldest newlyweds have exchanged their vows at a hotel in Britain.
George Kirby, 103, and Doreen Luckie, 91, were all smiles on Saturday in the British seaside town of Eastbourne when they finally tied-the-knot in front of their family members and friends after dating for 27 years. A representative from the Guinness Book of World Records was also present at the ceremony.
According to the Agence France-Presse, the couple, with a combined age of 194 years, 281 days, beat the previous record that was held by a French couple, Francois Fernandez and Madeleine Francineau. Fernandez and Francineau had a combined age of 191 years.
The couple said they never really regretted not having married earlier in life, and together they have seven children, 15 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
“It’s about time, really,” George, a former boxer, told the Daily Mail. “Doreen keeps me young and I can definitely say we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.”
“I wasn’t a blushing bride, but I was a bit giddy. It was such a lovely day – and great to see everybody,” Doreen, who wore a white dress with blue flowers to the ceremony, added.
British couple become world’s oldest #newlyweds at combined age of 194 http://t.co/TgeN432pc1
— Louis Doré (@LouisAlexDore) June 14, 2015
Neil Kirby, George’s dad and best man, described the couple as “beautiful.”
“It was a great day – everybody was so happy for them. They are such a beautiful couple,” Kirby said. “Dad missed his stag do lunch because he wasn’t feeling up for it, but Doreen had a hen party luncheon which was a complete laugh with all her golden girls.”
The couple started dating in 1988, after meeting each other through an organization that helps elderly people make friends. George had just gotten divorced, and Doreen had become a widow several years earlier.
This British couple just became the world’s oldest newlyweds http://t.co/eWoh83tsru pic.twitter.com/e5VePiG3jW
— Metro (@MetroUK) June 14, 2015
“He used to come to my house. We got on straight away. He liked the roses in my front garden – he was a real smooth talker,” Doreen recalled.
The couple moved in together in 1990, but waited until this past Valentine’s Day to get engaged.
“We were having dinner and I asked Doreen if she wanted to be married to me for a short time. I was so happy that she said yes,” George said. “I didn’t get down on one knee because I don’t think I would have been able to get back up.”
Congratulations to the world’s oldest newlyweds!
[Image via Shutterstock]
