A Northern Ireland couple have said the secret to a long and happy marriage is “doing as you’re told” as they prepare to celebrate 70 years together.
Malcolm and Joan Wild, who are 92 and 95 respectively, were set to mark their platinum anniversary, which occurred on Saturday, with a big party this weekend.
They will also receive a card from King Charles and Queen Camilla to mark the milestone.
The note is the second royal connection to their day — their 1954 wedding was on the same day that Queen Elizabeth II made her second official trip as monarch to Northern Ireland.
Malcolm said: “It’s hard to describe, we’re glad we got there and we are still together.
“We’ve had a very pleasant 70 years, alongside our family and friends.”
The couple married in St Polycarp’s Church, Finaghy, when Malcolm was 22 and Joan was 25.
“I’m her toyboy,” added Malcolm, laughing.
They still remember their wedding, with Malcolm, who worked in aviation, describing it as a “typical Northern Ireland day”.
“It poured and poured,” he added.
“It was actually the day that the Queen and Prince Philip came to Belfast for their second official visit since her coronation in 1953.
“I remember because it was such a wet day, and they had to wait for the aircraft to be towed into the hangar before she was allowed to get off.
“It was a day to remember for Queen and country, and our wedding.”
The couple on their wedding day in August 1954
Malcolm, who was raised in Yorkshire, moved to Northern Ireland in the mid-1950s to work at Aldergrove and then met Joan, who is from Co Tyrone.
The pair first locked eyes at a dance hall in Belfast when Joan had arrived with her friend who was actually supposed to date Malcolm.
“My friend was there for Malcolm and I was there for his friend, but as it turned out, she never got him, she didn’t get the chance,” Joan said.
When asked about the secret to a long marriage, Malcolm gave a resounding answer of “behaving and doing as I’m told”.
“It’s like all marriages, it’s about give and take, and helping around the house and taking an interest in each other.
“I had a busy career and Joan spent a lot of time looking after our children.”
One of their daughters, Suzanne Wild, is the high sheriff of Co Down.
Malcolm and Joan Wild (Photo: Stephen Hamilton)
Joan explained that her secret is about “admitting when you’re wrong”.
“I have a sign in my kitchen that says: marriage is about admitting when you’re wrong, and when you’re right — shutting up.”
The pair said they are “honoured” to receive a card from the King and Queen, with the whole family arriving to celebrate their day.
“Our great-granddaughter and great-grandson will be coming across as well, we haven’t seen them in a while,” Malcolm said during the week.
“We get about grand, we take our pills and we’ve a few aches, but we really can’t complain.”
Malcolm and Joan told of how the only change in their relationship in the last few years is the lack of trips abroad, which they stopped after the pandemic left them frustrated with cancellations.
He added: “We can’t be bothered standing about airports now, so in terms of trips, we go around Northern Ireland.
“And with family, they just come to us instead.”