Timeless Love: 97-Year-Old Bride and 98-Year-Old Groom Recreate Wedding Day 77 Years Later, Gown and Photographer-Free

In 1944, amid the urgency of World War II, Frankie King and her high school sweetheart, Royce, hastily planned their wedding with no gown or photographer in sight. Royce, an Air Force lieutenant, had a brief leave before deployment, making their union a poignant testament to love during wartime.

Seventy-seven years later, on their 77th wedding anniversary, the couple, now 97 and 98, revisited their special day. Living in Oelwein, Iowa, and cared for by St. Croix Hospice, the couple’s heartwarming journey unfolded with the help of a compassionate nurse.

Upon realizing there were no photos from their original wedding, the hospice staff orchestrated a heartfelt recreation. Donning a 1940s vintage gown, Frankie stood beside 98-year-old Royce, who wore his Air Force uniform as he did on their wedding day.

The moment was tenderly captured as Royce, with a handkerchief over his eyes, awaited his bride for the “first look” in their backyard. Their daughter, Sue, recounted the emotional scene, highlighting her mother’s poignant question about wearing glasses and the undeniable beauty of the moment.

CEO Heath Bartness expressed the overwhelming emotion felt by the hospice staff, emphasizing the deep significance of recreating a day that held historical and personal resonance. The act was described not just as an organizational effort but as a powerful display of humanity and connection.

Sue, deeply moved, reflected on her parents’ enduring love and resilience through the years. The recreated wedding became a poignant reminder that amidst life’s trials and triumphs, Frankie and Royce prioritized love and devotion, creating a lasting legacy of commitment.

The story stands as a testament to the enduring power of love, capturing a unique blend of history, emotion, and the unwavering bond shared by Frankie and Royce.