When Prince Charles was born, 10-year-old Deanna Shepherd thought he was a birthday gift to her from Princess Elizabeth.
Since then the Wanganui East woman has followed the Prince of Wales' progress and career, and when she received an invite to his 64th birthday party at Government House she was blown away.
It couldn't be more welcome - Mrs Shepherd has been undergoing treatment for cancer. "It was a complete surprise, I had nothing to do with it. I came home from Palmerston North after my cancer treatment to find my husband asking me who I knew at Government House. I read this official letter and just couldn't believe it," she said.
"It turned out my daughter, who was visiting from Melbourne, had heard about it and put my name down."
Mrs Shepherd was one of 1500 applicants to the event, of which 64 - the prince's age on this birthday - were chosen at random and invited to join the November 14 party at Government House.
Two other locals, Alison Safey and Geoff Honeyfield, also received royal invites.
Mrs Shepherd's husband, Pat, said the prospect of the party was very exciting. "We're pretty stoked, actually. We thought at first someone was playing a joke, but sometimes things just happen that put a bit of sunshine into your life."
Mrs Shepherd's last radiation therapy session is set for November 8, two days before the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall arrive in Auckland for their six-day tour of the country.
"The last three months have been all downhill but this has been completely out of the box. My therapy will be finished before then so I hope I'm ready in time."
While she had yet to meet the Prince, she did have a close encounter of sorts in 1983. "When Charles and Diana visited, I was down on the corner near the Kowhai Store and I saw them motoring through the park. I caught a glimpse of them through the trees, but just a glimpse," she said.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, another November 14 baby, has called the party a welcome coincidence with the Queen's 60th jubilee.
"The Diamond Jubilee visit is a chance to recognise 60 years of remarkable service to New Zealand by our Queen.
"That we also have the chance to welcome the Prince of Wales and celebrate with him and the Duchess on this special day is, if you'll excuse the pun, the icing on the cake," Sir Jerry said.
Wanganui is not on the royal six-day itinerary around New Zealand but the royals will visit Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel and their families at RNZAF Base Ohakea and take part in the Feilding Farmers' Market on November 15.