We broke down in tears after receiving a card from the Queen on the day she died

A MARRIED couple broke down in tears after receiving a card from the Queen on the very day she died.

Joe Wilkins, 85, and Terry Wilkins, 83, from West Sussex, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family on Thursday.

Claudine Phillips

Joe and Terry Wilkins celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last Thursday[/caption]

Claudine Phillips

But just half an hour earlier, the news of Her Majesty’s death had swept across the country.

The Queen died peacefully at the age of 96 with her family by her side.

Her death marked an end to her historic reign and sparked an outpouring of grief around the world.

What Terry and Joe didn’t know was that the day before, a signed card had been sent from HRH congratulating them on their six decades of marriage. 

Their daughter Claudine Phillips described the coincidence as “bitter sweet” in the wake of the news with her mum breaking down in tears.

Claudine, 53, told The Argus: “It was my son’s 17th birthday as well so we had a big family takeaway planned for 7pm.

“Of course the announcement came in at 6.30pm and we had the card sitting on the table, my mum and dad didn’t know anything about it.

“It was really bizarre to be honest, we were celebrating something so enormous but then half an hour before we heard the sad announcement, I can’t even explain it was very very strange.

“My mum cried when she opened the card, she was so shocked.”

Claudine’s nephew had organised for the card to be sent to the couple.

Because of the postal strikes, the family had been concerned that it may not arrive on time.

Claudine, who travelled from Dubai for the celebrations, said that the timing of the card was “eerie” but “overwhelming”.

She added: “We had prepared the table with all the presents earlier that day ready for the meal and it was there with the rest of the cards. 

“It was almost eerie, how many people got a card from Her Royal Highness signed by her, just half an hour after the announcement that she had passed away?

“It was a little overwhelming to be honest, to have that affinity on that day.

“I think we’re going to get a photograph of Her Majesty framed for the party for the table now, it seems fitting.

“It’s going to be on everyone’s minds, everyone tomorrow will be talking about it, she touched everyone’s hearts. So it feels like the right thing to do.”

It comes as the Queen’s four children bowed their heads in a moving vigil over her coffin last night.

Her Majesty is currently lying in state at Edinburgh’s St Giles Cathedral.

Mourners filed past in solemn silence as King Charles III, Princess Anne and Princes Edward and Andrew stood guard on each side.

Many have curtseyed to Her Majesty, bowed their heads, crossed their heart or saluted as they paused in quiet reflection.

Silence filled the ancient building with just the public’s footsteps making the only sound for most of it as they slowly filed past.

Thousands are expected to follow as she lies in state until the evening, when her coffin will fly back to London.

The Scottish crown was placed on top her coffin, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, during a service of Thanksgiving at the historical building.

The Queen will be laid to rest on Monday, September 19, at 11am.