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Celebrating 83 years together

At 104 and 105,Helen and Maurice Kaye are the longest-married couple in the UK

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Even eight decades after they wed, centenarians Helen and Maurice Kaye are eyeing up new milestones.

Believed to be Britain’s longest-married couple, they celebrated their 83rd wedding anniversary surrounded by their family at home in Bournemouth last week.

Their remarkable marriage was described as a “long haul” by 104-year-old Mrs Kaye, who met her 105-year-old husband when he was a travelling salesman for his father’s clothing business.

Mr Kaye said: “So much has changed but we still have each other, thank God.

“We had a great day with fabulous entertainment from our gorgeous great-grandchildren.

“Now on to the next milestone.”

Mrs Kaye added: “It is wonderful. Celebrating with all the family made it even more special.

“I surprised myself how much I enjoyed it.”

When they married in 1934 in south London the idea of one day keeping up to date with their children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren using iPads and video chats would have been unimaginable.

Tina Son, the couple’s daughter, said her parents were an “inspiration to everyone who knows them and we count ourselves truly blessed.

“Mum is still very stylish, having her hair done twice a week and her nails done every Friday, and dad still has the same wicked sense of humour and zest for life.

“Most of all, they still have each other and for that we are so very grateful.”

The couple said they could have been celebrating their 87th wedding anniversary were it not for the fact Mrs Kaye had not been allowed to marry sooner because she had an older sister and tradition dictated that she should have the chance to wed first.

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