FREE REIGN
Great-great-gran Georgina gave up the chance to work for the Queen to follow her dream and travel the world
A GLAM 105-year-old celebrated her birthday by dancing into the wee hours – and said the secret to longevity is “living freely”.
Great-great-grandmother Georgina Paterson celebrated the milestone surrounded by friends and family.
And the keen painter, who was given a set of oil paints and brushes as a birthday gift, acknowledged her life had been remarkable – but said she made it that way.
Born in Loanhead, Midlothian, on February 15, 1915, Georgina decided she wanted to work in Buckingham Palace.
She approached them and was given a job working for the Queen’s mother-inlaw, Princess Alice of Battenberg.
After the elderly royal died in 1969, the Queen asked Georgina to stay on as her personal maid.
She declined the offer, choosing instead to travel the world – something she says has made her life fulfilling.
She said: “Reflecting on my life has been really sentimental as the past 105 years have been amazing. I travelled the
BY SARAH WARD world and saw everything I wanted to see. If I was to go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing.
“I lived a very interesting life but I made it interesting, it didn’t just happen.”
She had two children with late husband John, daughter Nancy, 85, and son Charlie, 81.
And Georgina has five grandchildren, eight greatgrandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Georgina said: “My family make me so proud, I could not have asked for more.
“My greatest advice to anyone is live freely, always be kind to others and be truthful.”
Despite her advanced years, sprightly Georgina still does her own cooking and washing at Priorwood Court, in Melrose, in the Borders.
Margaret Mason, development Manager at Priorwood Court, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to celebrate Georgina’s birthday with her – it isn’t every day that someone reaches this monumental milestone.
“She never fails to amaze us all.”
LOVING LIFE Georgina laughs with three-year-old Isla Sloan