Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg - Christmas Reply (2024)

I received this reply this week form Luxembourg. I had written to Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa for Christmas. 

The photo was taken by Marion Dessard. There is some distortion from my printer scanner, as the picture is not printed on normal photo paper. 

With the photo was a flat card, the usual sort from the Luxembourg royals. The card is in Luxembourgish. 

The card translates to: 

Luxembourg, December 2024

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were very touched by your warm wishes. They thank you very much and wish you a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year 2025. 

More replies from Luxembourg 

Prince Albert & Princess Charlene of Monaco - Christmas Reply (2024)

I received this reply yesterday from Monaco. I had send a Christmas Card to Prince Albert & Princess Charlene. 

The front of the card features a photo of the family. (Seated L-R: Princess Gabriella, Crown Prince Jacques, Princess Charlene. Standing: Prince Albert) The photo was taken by Éric Mathon. He has taken the family's Christmas Card photo a number of times before, including last years. 

The decoration of the front of the card is different from recent years. This features red holy leaves decorating each corner of the photo. Every few years the palace changes up the Christmas Card designs. You can find past Christmas Replies [here]. 

The top of the card features Prince Albert & Princess Charlene's joint monogram. 

The inside of the card features a message in French, English and Monoque. The signatures are printed on and the same used in past years. 

The card says: 

In this festive season, our warmest wishes 

for a Merry Christmas and 

a Happy New Year 2025.

Albert de Monaco 

Charlene de Monaco

The envelope is the usual style from the couple for Christmas. This envelope is made of a shimmering iridescent paper that matched the card. The top left of the envelope says "Service de S.A.S. le Prince de Monaco" (translated: "Service of HRH The Prince of Monaco" ).

Monaco is one of the few monarchies to still use real stamps. This stamp is part of a set commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Monaco during WII. This stamp features US General Robert Frederick. The stamp was released in October 2024. 

The postmark celebrate the 45th anniversary of The Dante Alighieri Comitato di Monaco ortnization, which Italian language and culture in Monaco. 

The back of the card features the couple's joint monogram like usual. 

More Replies from Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco

The Wales Family - Christmas Reply (2023)

This lovely reply arrived from the UK recently. I had written to The Wales Family last year to wish them a Merry Christmas. 

The card is the usual from the couple. The front features a photo of the family that was used for their official Christmas Card. The photo was taken by Josh Skinner. 

The back of the card is the usual of the sort, with a typed message for the couple. The message varies slightly each year. 

The card says: 

Thank you for your thoughtful Christmas message to The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, & Prince Louis.  

Their Royal Highnesses are very grateful and send you their best wishes for a very Happy New Year. 

More Replies from the Wales Family

King Charles of UK - Christmas Reply (2023)

I received this reply from the UK a little while ago. I had written to King Charles for Christmas. Normally I write to couple's together, but since Charles, and Camilla have a practice of sending out separate replies I wrote to them separately. You can find Camilla's reply here. 

The reply was a folded card. The front of the card features King Charles's Cypher embossed in gold. The back of the card features a photo credit for the inside photo. The photo is credited to the Press Association, and was taken by Jane Barlow. 

Inside is a photo and message. The photo is from August 2023, when King Charles III inspected the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at the gates of Balmoral Castle. 

The message says: 

I am touched to received your kind and thoughtful Christmas message. I hope that you too had a very happy and peaceful Christmas and I send you a special thanks for your wonderfully kind support during what has been quite a memorable year! 

This card brings you my warmest good wishes for the new year.  

Charles R

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Princess Leonor of Spain - 18th Birthday Reply (2023)

I received this reply last year from Spain. I had written to Princess Leonor to wish her a happy 18th Birthday. 

The letter is similar to past letters, I have received from the Spain Royals. The letter is written by Bernado de Lizaur Cuesta, Head of Protocol. The letter does not specifically refer to Princess Leonor's 18th Birthday, but does refer to her oath of allegiance which she made on her 18th Birthday. 

Palace of Zarzuela

October 18th, 2023

Ms. Gertrude Alexandra Daly

(My Address)

The Head of Protocol of H.M. The King,

I am pleased to fulfill the task of His Majesty The King, and I send you, on his behalf,  his most sincere gratitude for the king message of congratulations that you have sent to you on the occasion of the oath of allegiance of Her Royal Highness The Princess of Asturias.  

I would would like to take this opportunity to send you a cordial greeting,  

Bernardo Francisco de Lizaur Cuesta 

More Replies from Spain Royal Family

King Juan Carlos of Spain - 85th Birthday (2023)

I received this reply last year from Spain for King Juan Carlos's 85th Birthday. 

The letter is by Bernardo de Lizaur, the current Head of Protocol. The only other birthday reply I have from King Juan Carlos is from his 80th Birthday. This letter has a almost identical message, but was written by then Secretary-General.

The letter says:

Palace of Zarzuela

March 1st, 2023

Ms. Gertrude Alexandra Daly

(My Address)

The Head of Protocol of H.M. The King

His Majesty The King Juan Carlos has asked me, in his name, to send his sincere thanks, together with his affectionate greetings,  for the warm wishes that, on the occasion of his Birthday, you have been kind enough to send.

Upon fulfilling this request, I send a cordial greeting,

Bernardo de Lizaur

More replies from King Juan Carlos & Queen Sofia

Condolence Reply following Death of Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein (2023)

Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein passed away in December 2023. I had written to Prince Constantin's father, Prince Hans-Adam to express my condolence to him & Prince Constantin's family. And I had also mentioned my condolence for Prince Constantin in my Christmas card to Hereditary Prince Alois. I received a reply from both of them. 

The envelopes for both replies was the same and features black mourning edge. 

The back features a crown above "Vaduz"  the name of the Luxembourg's castle. 

The two cards are identical, except for signatures. They features a embossed coat of arms along with a typed message. 

I've compared the signatures with past replies I have gotten from them and the signatures are not identical which makes it seem like they are real. But we do know they use Auto pens. 

The card says "With many thanks for your kind sympathy." 

This first card is signed by Prince Hans-Adam and is signed "Hans-Adam Liechtenstein." Prince Hans-Adam is the late Prince Constantin's father. 

This card is signed by Hereditary Prince Alois, Prince Constantin's older brother. It is signed "AL" for Alois Liechtenstein.

More replies from the Liechtenstein Royals