John and Margaret Beauvoisin can perhaps lay claim to being the most happily married couple in the world.

The couple who live in Portsmouth, Hants have renewed their wedding vows every year since they married in 1948 with the exception of 1949 when John was stationed overseas with the Royal Navy.

The pair wed at St Swithun’s Church in the town of Southsea on 27th December 1948 and since 1950 have renewed their vows and had their wedding bands blessed annually.

Their 2008 ceremony was took place at Sacred Heart Church in their hometown of Waterlooville on 27th December, the Beauvoisins 60th wedding anniversary.

Guests included 10 of the couple’s children, their 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

81 year old Margaret said of the moment the devoted couple met:-

“It was by accident really. He was sitting in my chair and I went to sit next to him. Then he got up and I thought he was asking me to dance.

He hadn’t really intended to ask me it turns out, but we spent the rest of the night dancing and he saw me home.”

I asked what his name was, and he said Oswald. I said ‘Do people really call you that?’

He said his middle name was John, so I said ‘I’m going to call you that instead’.”

When asked to reveal the secret to a long and happy marriage, Margaret said:-

“He loves me and looks after me. We have remained faithful and love our family.”

On the 20th November 2008, HRH Queen Elizabeth will celebrate 60 years of wedded bliss with her husband Price Phillip.

The winter that they married had been one of the worst on record and the country remained in the throes of strict rationing and economic hardship after the Second World War.

Nonetheless, millions of well wishers the world over watched and listened as Elizabeth arrived in the magnificent stage coach at Westminster Abbey to marry her Prince.

Her royal wedding gown was designed by the infamous Sir Norman Hartnell, and was fashioned from ivory satin woven from Chinese silkworms and imported white seed pearls.

A spectacular 13 ft silk train was affixed to the shoulders of the gown and Elizabeth wore ivory satin sandals, trimmed with silver and pearls. Her tiara had previously belonged to one of her predecessors, Queen Mary.

Prince Phillip sported his Royal Naval Lieutenant attire, displaying his medals, the Star of the Order of the Garter and the Star of the Greek Order of the Redeemer. He also carried the royal sword that was later used to cut the royal wedding cake and which had been a gift to him from the King.