A former Royal dressmaker who once created a gown for an exiled queen has celebrated her 100th birthday at her Dorking care home.
Essex-born Vera Allen marked the milestone surrounded by friends and family at Dorking Manor Care Home, proudly showing off her birthday card from the King - although after decades connected to high society and royalty, she still refuses to reveal any Royal secrets.
Vera once made a dress for Queen Maria of Yugoslavia, wife of the assassinated King Alexander I. Following the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941, Queen Maria fled to England where she organised Red Cross humanitarian aid to Yugoslav prisoners of war.
Vera said: “It was an honour to be asked to make the dress and I remember taking great care over the detail.”
Vera lived in Dagenham and worked for prestigious Mayfair dressmaker Jacamar’s at 16 Grosvenor Street. The celebrated British fashion house became known for its luxurious handmade silk scarves, holding royal warrants and producing vintage pieces now exhibited at the V&A Museum.
The brand was also famed for its patriotic propaganda scarves during the 1940s, designed to help boost morale during the war years.
Vera later moved to Surrey after marrying her husband, Ted. Together they had two children and two grandchildren.
Centenarian Vera still enjoys knitting and crochet in her spare time.
The team at the Ridgeway Road home said it was a wonderful occasion to celebrate Vera’s remarkable life and achievements with those closest to her.