Rosa's royal birthday greetings from Duke

The pair both turned 95 last Friday, June 10 and in a letter sent to her son John, the MP for Falkirk, Prince Philip admitted: “The older I get, the less I appreciate birthdays.”

Mrs McNally said: “I couldn’t think of a nicer surprise. I have been an admirer of the Royal family all my life and to get a message from Prince Philip has made my birthday extra special.”

Mr McNally said his mother had often spoke about sharing a birthday with the Duke and decided to write, but never thought he would get a reply. He added: “The prince had made an elderly lady extremely happy and it shows how human he is.”

The letter, dated 25 May 2016, is written on Buckingham Palace headed paper. It reads: “Dear Mr McNally,

I was interested to know that your mother shares the same birthday as I do. I have to say that the older I get, the less I appreciate birthdays. Please give your mother my best wishes. Yours sincerely,Philip.”

Mrs, McNally, along with late husband John, raised her seven children in Denny. Still living in the same house, she is now a proud grandmother and a great-grandmother.

Her son said: “My mum says she admires the stability and good values she feels the Royal family stand for. She remembers them through the war years.

“She and Prince Philip also both have a twinkle in their eye and clearly share the same sense of humour. He is welcome here for tea any time he comes up to Falkirk.”