Prince Harry - Birthday Reply (2016)

A lovely reply arrived today from Clarence House. Yes, the envelope and stationary say Kensington Palace, and the Cambridge/Harry office is at Kensington Palace. But their mail is handled by Prince Charles's office at Clarence House.

Claudia Spens works for Clarence House, as head of their Correspondence Section.

I had written to Prince Harry earlier this month for his 32nd Birthday. The reply arrived 2.5 weeks after I sent my letter, which is a quicker response time than Harry's birthday reply in 2015 & 2014.

Typically, Clarence House sends out a postcard size photo with a typed message on the back for birthdays. This year I got a letter instead. I have seen many people get the typical postcard-sized photo with message this year. It features the same photo as last year's reply with a similar message.

The letter reads:

Dear Miss Daly,  

Prince Harry has asked me to thank you for your letter of 9th September. It was so kind of you to take the trouble to write as you did and His Royal Highness greatly appreciated your kind wishes on the occasion of his 32nd birthday.  

Prince Harry has also asked me to thank you for your thoughtful and generous words of support for all he does to help the many charities and causes he so passionately cares about. His Royal Highness asked me to send you his warmest thanks and best wishes.  

Yours Sincerely,  

Claudia Spens

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Prince Félix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg - Pregnancy Announcement (2016)

I love getting Royal Mail, and it's especially nice during the long wait of a royal tour.

I had written to Princess Claire and Prince Félix of Luxembourg in July when they announced they were expecting their 2nd child, this Autumn. We haven't been given any more specifics about the baby or the due date (October or late November seems likely).

This reply came 2.5 months later.

The envelope is typical for Luxembourg. The lovely stamp was created by Mariepol Goetzinger, and released in September 2015 as part of a set to celebrate Luxembourg's bio-diversity.

The postmark celebrates the anniversaries of two Museums: the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art's 10th Anniversary (MUDAM) & Casino Luxembourg's 20th Anniversary.

Inside is a very simple card, typical of what you see from the Luxembourg Royals. A bit interesting that the card doesn't mention why I wrote to the couple.

The card reads:

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg were so touched by your kind message. They thank you very much. 

Luxembourg, September 2016 

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Princess Beatrice - Birthday Reply (2016)

Quite excited to receive this reply over the weekend.

I wrote to Princess Beatrice early last month for her 28th Birthday. This reply came about a month later, which makes it a few weeks earlier than last year's birthday reply.

The envelope is the usual from the British Royals with Prince Andrew's badge on the back. What is a bit unusual is the Royal Mail's postmark (in black). Usually, letters from the British Royals just feature their red postmark (w/ EIIR and Buckingham Palace). This red postmark is used by all the London-based royal offices.

The black Royal Mail postmark reads the ‘Royal Mail proud to support Stroke Association.’ Stroke Association is the Royal Mail's charity partner and their "Charity of the Year" for September 2014-September 2016. This postmark is used over that two year period to raise awareness for the cause. 

The Queen is Patron of Stroke Association and the Duke of Kent is President. 

The second part of the postmark reads "Royal Mail, Mount Pleasant Mail Centre." The Mount Pleasant Mail Centre is in London and use to be one of the world's largest sorting offices.

The letter is the typical reply from Prince Andrew's Office. The letter was written by Andrew's Private Secretary, Amanda Thirsk, and is hand-signed.

The letter reads:

Buckingham Palace

30th August, 2016

Dear Miss Daly,  

Princess Beatrice has asked me to thank you for your kind letter dated 5th August, 2016. Her Royal Highness was very grateful for the Birthday message.  

Princess Beatrice sends you her best wishes.  

Yours Sincerely,  

Amanda Thirsk LVO

Private Secretary to The Duke of York

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