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British Couple With Combined Age Of 194 Are Now Officially World's Oldest Newlyweds

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A British couple have officially been named the oldest pair of newlyweds in the world after tying the knot with a combined age of almost 200.

George Kirby and Doreen Luckie married in June. Their wedding day coincided with George’s 103rd birthday, when Doreen was aged 91 and 280 days. Their combined age was 194 years and 280 days when they wed.

After several months of checking Guinness World Records have now confirmed them as the world’s oldest newlyweds, beating the previous record of 191 years and 126 days.

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They married at the Langham Hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex where they live.

Among the 50 delighted guests was a representative from Guinness Book of World Records on Saturday June 13.

George and Doreen, who have both been married once before, have been together for 27 years and George proposed on Valentine’s Day this year after pressure from their elderly children.

George said: “It was about time, really. Doreen keeps me young and I can definitely say we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together."

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Doreen added: "I wasn’t a blushing bride, but I was a bit giddy. It was such a lovely day - and great to see everybody.”

Son Neil, who was the best man, said: “It was a great day - everybody was so happy for them. They are such a beautiful couple.

"Dad missed his stag do lunch because he wasn’t feeling up for it, but Doreen had a hen party luncheon which was a complete laugh with all her golden girls."

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The couple started dating in 1988 after meeting through an organisation to find friends for mature people.

George, then 76, had just got divorced while Doreen, who lived in Staplehurst, Kent, had become a widow three years earlier after 36 years of marriage.

She said: "He used to come to my house. We got on straight away. He liked the roses in my front garden - he was a real smooth talker."

Between them the pair have had seven children, 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

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George was born in London in June 1912 and joined the RAF as a physical education instructor in 1933, where he stayed for 25 years. He was a passionate and talented boxer, winning every single one of the 60 fights he entered during his life.

After leaving the RAF in 1958 he did a string of jobs, including restaurant manager, chauffeur and gardener.

He finally gave up work, and lifting dumbbells, at the age of 94, although continued to tend Doreen’s garden in Kent.

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Doreen was born in Brixton in September 1923 and spent much of her career as a shorthand typist for the Director of Public Prosecutions at Temple.

She had to type out documents and transcripts of court cases including those of the Kray twins and Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

Doreen keeps herself in shape by doing yoga classes on the seafront every week.

Instead of wedding presents, the pair asked for donations for their chosen charities - the Royal Air Forces Association and the Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust.

All images: SWNS