They had been married for 77 years and did not even have a photo: the nursing home is organizing a new wedding for them

Frankie and Royce King were married on September 16, 1944, but never celebrated and never even had a photo. This year, on the occasion of their 77th anniversary, the people in charge of the American nursing home to which they are invited have organized a party with ceremonial clothes, swing music and a photographer. The husband did not stop smiling.

They had been married for 77 years and did not even have a photo: the nursing home is organizing a new wedding for them

Frankie and Royce King are 97 and 98 years old. They were married in 1944, during World War II, and never celebrated their wedding. No cake, no guests, no photos.

After 77 years, the managers of the American nursing home where they are now have organized the ceremony with all the details. Daughter Sue: “When Dad saw my mother dressed as a bride, he didn’t stop smiling for a moment.”

A big surprise party. A real wedding. The people in charge of St. Croix Hospice nursing home in the state of Iowa left them speechless. A few weeks ago, on Frankie and Royce King’s wedding anniversary, they gave her a wedding dress, called in a photographer, played 1940s music and opened the wedding cake in front of their daughter Sue.

Frankie and Royce King were married on September 16, 77 years ago during her husband’s military leave. Unarranged, unannounced and, therefore, uninvited guests.

In early September, an operator at the nursing home where the couple had been guests for some time asked them, out of curiosity, to see a souvenir photo from that day. The two replied, naturally, that they had none because there was no one with them that day. At that moment the idea was born to give the bride and groom the wedding party they never lived.

Daughter Sue gave her mother a beautiful cream-colored, retro-style dress, just like she might have worn in 1944. The gown’s high neckline, floral embroidery and long white veil over short hair gave Frankie the look of a royal bride. Royce, on the other hand, was in uniform, as if he had been married during his military years.

The man was blindfolded so as not to lose the taste of surprise, and his wife walked toward him slowly, while a music therapist at the center played music from the 1940s.