Centenarian Marks 105th Birthday with Global Cards

Mary Davidson Smith has celebrated her 105th birthday, receiving 105 cards from around the world to mark the milestone. The centenarian, who lives at Murrayside care home in Edinburgh, described the occasion as "wonderful" as reported by the Evening Standard. Cards arrived from various international locations, including Singapore.

Royal Recognition and Global Greetings

Among the numerous birthday messages was a card from King Charles. This marks a significant personal achievement for Ms Smith, making her one of the few individuals to have received birthday greetings from both King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth, as noted by the Evening Standard. She shared her delight, stating, "This is incredible! I’ve never seen so many cards, and they’re all for me."

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Ms Smith, who was born in Korea, has lived a life spanning multiple continents, including periods in England, Canada, and the US. She also served in the Royal Navy, where she met her husband, British Army officer Charles Wynard Davidson Smith, while stationed in Washington DC. The couple later settled in Edinburgh, raising two sons and now have four grandchildren.

Reunion with a Cherished Outfit

In addition to her birthday celebrations, Ms Smith was recently reunited with a traditional Korean outfit she wore as a young girl nearly a century ago. Officials from the National Museum of Scotland arranged a private tour for her, allowing her to see the outfit, which comprises a hat, bag, and a wraparound jacket known as a chimageogori. This ensemble is recognised as a charming example of traditional Korean dress, or hanbok, according to the Evening Standard.

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Suzanne Welsh, home manager at Murrayside care home, expressed the staff's pleasure in celebrating Ms Smith's birthday. "She is a much-loved resident who always has so many wonderful stories to share about her remarkable life," Ms Welsh stated, as reported by the Evening Standard. The care home had set a target of collecting 105 cards, which was met with Ms Smith's joy at receiving "so much love and well wishes from people all over the world."

When asked about her secret to a long and happy life, Ms Smith shared, "I enjoy it – keep on going." She also mentioned coming from "a long line of others that have lived long lives." For her 106th birthday, Ms Smith hopes to celebrate with "a good strong whisky," as told to PA Media.