King Charles III sent a congratulatory birthday card to Derviş Tahir, a Turkish Cypriot who turned 100 years old on Wednesday, 7 January. In the UK, it is a long-standing tradition for the King or Queen to send a personal message to citizens celebrating their 100th birthday, and this year Derviş Tahir became part of that tradition.
Born on 7 January 1926 in Nicosia, Derviş received a letter bearing the signatures of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The message read: “We were delighted to learn that you are celebrating your 100th birthday on 7 January 2026. On this special occasion, we send you our warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes.”
Expressing his happiness at receiving the letter, Derviş said that being remembered and made to feel valued meant a great deal to him, and he thanked King Charles for the gesture.
Derviş has lived in London since 1956. After arriving in the city, he worked briefly as a restaurant waiter for around six months before going on to work as a cinema projectionist, a job he held until his retirement. His wife has since passed away, and he has no children. For the past 40 years, he has lived in a rented flat in the Harringay area of London.
Before retiring, Tahir had owned nine properties, all of which he later sold. He now offers advice to younger generations, urging homeowners not to sell their properties. “I made a mistake; I sold my houses,” he says.
Adding “Back then, I wasn’t thinking clearly. Now I am—but it’s too late.”
