Feature: Queen says happy birthday to woman who played part in breaking the news of King's death

The woman telephonist who connected the call that broke the tragic news to Queen Elizabeth that her father the King had died, has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Pride of place among the many good wishes received by Peggy Warde at her home in Wirral, near Liverpool, was a letter sent by the Queen from Buckingham Palace.

The role played by Mrs Warde in the royal drama in 1952 meant she was one of the first British subjects in the world to learn that King George VI had passed away.

Mrs Warde travelled with her husband to Uganda shortly after WWII and took a job as supervisor at a telephone exchange in Mbali, near the border with Kenya.

It was from there that she inadvertently played a role in the historical event. This week Mrs Warde recalled the drama of February 6, 1952 when the King died in his sleep aged 56.

The then Princess Elizabeth, was with her husband Prince Philip at the Royal hunting lodge in Kenya, when, at the age of 25, she became Queen.

Mrs Warde recalled: "I didn't think it was important but I was placed in a room by myself and a call came through. They said they wanted to speak to Her Majesty. I put them through then I had to stay on the phone to make sure the line stayed connected.

"I didn't know the King was dead at that time but during the conversation it came out that the King was dead and that shook me up completely. I was absolutely staggered. It took everything out of me. I had no idea beforehand why I was putting the call through."

At one time people reaching 100 would automatically receive a telegram from the Queen congratulating them on reaching their century. Today the Queen normally responds when requested by families or friends for a letter of congratulations when a British couple reach their diamond wedding anniversary or when an individual celebrates their 100th birthday.

The Queen personally decided to make an exception for Peggy Warde to recognise the role she played at the moment she ascended to the throne.

Mrs Warde celebrated her birthday with her two children and many of her seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren at a party at Birkenhead Park Cricket Club.

She said she was delighted to receive a letter from the Queen congratulating her on her birthday on Thursday and she still feels a connection with Queen Elizabeth. Endit