UNITED KINGDOM: VETERAN ACTOR SIR JOHN MILLS AND LADY MARY RENEW WEDDING VOWS IN CHURCH 60 YEARS AFTER WARTIME REGISTRY OFFICE CEREMONY

Record ID: 390667

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: VETERAN ACTOR SIR JOHN MILLS AND LADY MARY RENEW WEDDING VOWS IN CHURCH 60 YEARS AFTER WARTIME REGISTRY OFFICE CEREMONY
  • Date: 16th January 2001
  • Summary: VARIOUS, CONGREGATION IN CHURCH SLV, SIR JOHN AND LADY MARY MILLS SITTING DOWN TALKING TO REVEREND ADRIAN HIRST BEFORE SERVICE BEGINS
  • Embargoed: 31st January 2001 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: DENHAM , BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment,General,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA6D9R0Y8A7UPLWLMQ2O1HKG3YQ
  • Story Text: Veteran British actor, Sir John Mills, has finally taken his wife Mary up the aisle - 60 years after they first married in a London registry office at the height of the Second World War.
    The 92-year-old actor and self-proclaimed romantic, who won an Oscar for "Ryan's Daughter", and his 89-year-old wife Mary had originally married in a London registry office while he was on 48-hour leave from the British Army.
    But it wasn't until Christmas Eve (December 2000) after attending a service at St Mary the Virgin church in Denham, that Sir John first voiced his wish to renew his wedding vows with wife Mary Hayley Bell to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary - and this time he wanted to do it in a church.
    Reverend Adrian Hirst said he was delighted to play a part in the romantic event and added that he thought others might take notice: 'There is something very simple about this and there is a message here for theatrical people and for villagers because 60 years is a very long time today in the days when marriages are lasting two minutes and therefore it would be remiss of me to challenge them as to their commitment and love because that is evident for all to see and as I shall say, we're not here to think about what John and Mary have done, we are certainly here to think about who they are. One could reel off so many things they have done, well that's not what today is about.' The stiff upper-lipped hero of a string of British war films, finally fulfilled his wish when he and his frail wife renewed their vows at their village church at 4.00pm on Tuesday (January 16).
    Even though they live just 30 yards from St Mary's Church in the Buckinghamshire village of Denham, they were driven there in style in a Rolls-Royce with the number plate 1JMM.
    With a twinkle in his eye, Mills told:"The first 60 years are the worst, so we're hoping to push on from here."
    Britain's Queen Mother, who turned 100 last August, also sent her congratulations, telling them: "I offer you my warmest congratulations on your diamond wedding anniversary and I send you both my best wishes."
    The couple's film star daughter Hayley joined her parents for the emotion-charged service.
    Village vicar Hirst told 100 friends, family and well-wishers that the marriage was "a shining diamond."
    "The marriage of Mary and John has indeed been shining for 60 years and we come and give our thanks today," he said.
    Mills said he made his second proposal to his wife at their home and the elderly couple then exchanged rings.
    Outside the church, they were greeted by a barrage of flashbulbs from photographers who crowded forward to catch a shot of the devoted pair.
    Asked what the secret of a happy marriage was, Mills replied without a moment's hesitation "Drink" to much laughter from the crowd.
    They then went home for a champagne reception and the couple, still rock-solid in their love for each other, are now appropriately planning to take a much delayed honeymoon in Gibraltar.
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