An American couple will return to their beloved Bermuda for the 51st time this weekend to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

Toby and David London (right) first came to the Island in the summer of 1969 and spent a memorable week at the Hamilton Princess.

The retired couple, who live in Providence, Rhode Island, will mark their 50th wedding anniversary at the St George’s Club after arriving today.

Mr and Mrs London met at Brown University in Massachusetts and got married on June 20, 1965, in White Plains, New York.

Their first trip was prompted by a recommendation from an aunt and uncle who always holidayed in Bermuda.

It was the first of many vacations they have spent in Bermuda and since 2001 they have travelled to their favourite holiday destination twice every year.

“It’s the people that keep bringing us back,” Mrs London said. “Bermuda is a beautiful country but we have had so many fantastic experiences with its people over the years that we have always wanted to come back again and again.

“It is the perfect place for us to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary and I can’t wait to get back again.”

After their first trip to Bermuda in 1969, they returned again in 1978 and stayed at the Belmont Hotel.

Since then, Bermuda has been the venue for dozens of holidays with their two children, Marc and Debra, as well as other family and friends.

“Back when we first came to Bermuda it was very formal,” Mr London said.

“It was tie and jackets for dinner, and if you wanted to get to the beach at the Southampton hotel you would take a horse-drawn carriage there.

“Over the years the people of Bermuda have been so good to us and we have made some amazing friends.

“I could write a book of 50 chapters of all the times when complete strangers have treated us as family and shown incredible hospitality to us.”

Over the past 30 years, Mr and Mrs London have brought more than 35 guests back to the island with them

“We’ve made so many friends here over the years. Bermuda is like our second home,” Mrs London added.