GOLDEN couple James and Dorothy Fazackerly had tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The lucky pair, who were married in 1947, attended the Royal Garden Party on Tuesday July 15 to celebrate the Queen's 50th wedding anniversary.

They were selected from almost a thousand applications submitted to the Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Charles Shuttleworth, who held a draw to choose the names.

About 4,000 couples from all over the country donned their best party gear to join the celebration, which featured two brass bands and food fit for a Queen.

Dorothy said: "We didn't actually meet the Queen but we stood quite close to her. She was wearing a smart, lemon-coloured suit and hat, but looked older than I expected.

"By co-incidence we sat next to a couple from Buckinghamshire who had been married on the same day as us!"

"It was a lovely day. There was a really friendly atmosphere and the grounds were beautiful."

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