A couple in their 90s who married without a wedding dress or photographer were finally able to have the day they always dreamed of 77 years on – thanks to their hospice carers.
Devoted Royce and Frankie King hadn’t been able to have wedding photos taken on their big day when they wed on 16 September 1944 – having just squeezed in their nuptials before Royce went off to fight in the war.
Frankie had worn a white dress she already had and Royce wore his military uniform.
After their hospice discovered that they didn’t have any, they arranged for the couple to have some special snaps taken in the back garden of the home they have lived in for 68 years.
Royce, 98, put on his military uniform and Frankie wore a 1940’s wedding gown sourced by St Croix Hospice, Iowa, US- a hospice that provides care for patients in the comfort of their own home.
The lovebirds were able to celebrate their marriage with Frankie walking down the aisle with a bouquet of flowers to classic ’40s tunes played by St Croix’s music therapist, Brandon.
Their daughter Sue Bilodeau, 68, a retired dental hygienist, from Chico, California, US, said: “It was the most magical moment.
“They are just in love as the day they met.
“Dad was very proud to put on his uniform for mum and mum loved being pampered.
“They were just beaming at each other the whole time.
“They very devoted and committed to each other and they delight in making other people happy.
“It’s wonderful for them to finally have wedding photos – after all this time.”
Royce and Frankie met in school when they were just 14 and their friendship blossomed to romance when they started dating aged 17.
Head over heels in love, the pair got engaged in early 1944 and decided to get tie the knot before Royce was deployed overseas with the US army Air Corps in 1944 during the Second World war.
With little time to spare, the couple rushed a wedding in their local church in Oelwein, Iowa, US.
“My mum didn’t even have time to get a proper wedding dress,” Sue said.
After the war her parents settled in Oelwein, Iowa, US, and had their children, Jim, 71, and Sue, 68.
“They were and are wonderful parents,” Sue said.
“It was a very happy family life.
“They still live in the same house we grew up in.”
St Croix carers started looking after the couple just eight months ago but have already taken a shining to them.
“One of the staff found out it was their anniversary and asked to see some photos,” Sue said.
“That’s where the idea came from.
“The hospice did it all.”
St Croix carers arranged for Sue to come over and sorted a dress, music and flowers for the couple and had one of their staff take professional photos.
“It was such a special moment,” Sue said.
“It’s amazing to have such lovely photos for my parents.
“They finally have a wedding album they can show people.”
