Life-long Old Windsor resident celebrates 100th birthday

A lifelong Old Windsor resident celebrated her 100th birthday this week surrounded by three generations of descendants.

Elizabeth Worsley was born in her dad's family house in the village and now lives in Queens Close.

She celebrated her birthday yesterday at the Day Centre in Straight Road with a family that includes 18 great grandchildren.

She said: "I would never move out of Old Windsor."

Mrs Worsley met her late husband John William at the home of another Old Windsorian - the Maharaja of Rajpipla, the jet setting and debonair friend of stars and aristocrats known to all as Mr Pip.

He lived in splendour at the Manor in Church Road.

Mr Worsley's husband John William was a footman at the house, having taken the job after leaving the Air Force.

Mrs Worsley said: "I used to go to the house to help with parties. The Maharaja threw lovely big parties. When he was in France we would all help keep the house in order. He had a big staff including his own dresser and secretary.

"He was a great horse owner and his Epsom Derby winner the Windsor Lad had a pub in Windsor named after it."

The Maharaja died. His lavish home became Manor Lodge Care home.

But Mrs Worsley is still very much alive and said: "The village has changed totally from when I remember it. The main road through was just fields when I was growing up and there were hardly any houses."

Apart from not being able to see as clearly as she could, Mrs Worsley says she feels years younger than she is and still has no intention of leaving her beloved Old Windsor.