Hadleigh Nursing Home resident Violet Honeybun is proud to be holding a card from King Charles – after receiving eight birthday cards from the late Queen. 

The 107-year-old cherishes each of the birthday cards she has received from the Queen since turning 100.

The card from King Charles was sent to residents at the Kingsley Healthcare run home, in Friars Road, in response to the sympathy card they sent him following the Queen's death.

Their card addressed to King Charles and family carried the simple message: "Sorry for the loss of Queen Elizabeth 11, your beloved mother."

His beautiful card to them, personally signed and including a photograph of Charles as a boy with his mother, reads: "It was so very kind of you to send me such a wonderfully generous message following the death of my beloved mother.

"Your most thoughtful words are enormously comforting, and I cannot tell you how deeply they are appreciated at this time of immense sorrow."

Home manager Allison Squires said: "The residents were touched and excited to have received a reply from King Charles.

"All our residents wanted to honour the Queen and her service to the country during their lifetime so we are planning to plant a tulip tree – the Queen's favourite tree – in our memorial garden."

Mrs Honeybun has fond memories of the Royal family as her late husband Henry was in the Grenadier Guards during the Second World War and was footman to Lord Lascelles, the Queen's cousin.

"When Lord Lascelles was married in Westminster Abbey after the war my husband and I were invited to the wedding," recalled Mrs Honeybun, who likes to be called Bunny.

Fellow resident Antonia Gales recalled: "My husband and I attended a Garden Party in Buckingham Palace nearly 70 years ago.

"I was 25 when Queen Elizabeth met us both. I curtseyed. Fred, my partner, was head of all councils in Suffolk and I think that is why we got an invite. Their food was excellent.  

Meanwhile, Pamela Simmons said: "My son was in the military and we once got invited to attend a dinner where Royalty were present. I actually was sitting next to Princess Margaret. 

"I didn't speak directly with the Queen but even from well across the room, do remember how beautiful her blue eyes were."