This reply came 4.5 months after I had written to the couple. This is certainly not the longest I've waited for a reply, but this is definitely on the longer side. Some people have suggested that the delay was because of Prince Andrew's disastrous interview and decision to step down from being a "Working Royal." But that happened about 2 months after the engagement announcement, so I think there were other things that caused the delay as well.
The envelope is larger than normal, but otherwise, the front of the envelope is the typical we see from the British Royals. The postmark is from the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace. All the out-going mail from the London Royal Offices at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, St. James Palace & Clarence House is collected by the Royal Mail (UK's national postal service) and taken to the Court Post Office to be franked and sorted.
We know that Prince Andrew's office will be moving out of Buckingham Palace soon. But this postmark tells us that his office is still at Buckingham Palace, while he is still in a transition period. And, the PPI number W4047, is the Sovereign Grants account. So, it is interesting that Andrew is still using taxpayer funding for his postage.
The back of the envelope features Princess Beatrice's monogram embossed in gold. The "B" for Beatrice sits under the Coronet of the Grandchild of the Sovereign. This looks very similar to the Coronet of the Child of the Heir Apparent that we see used by the Cambridges & Sussexes, but this coronet features Crosses and Strawberry Leaves, opposed to Crosses and Fleurs-de-Lys.
Princess Beatrice has had and used this monogram for years, but this is the first reply I have gotten from her that uses it. Normally, we see this used for invitations for events Princess Beatrice is hosting for her patronages.
Inside the envelope is a flat card. It's the same size as Princess Eugenie's engagement card. I wouldn't read anything into the fact that Beatrice's has a flat card and Eugenie's engagement card is a folded card. Since Beatrice's card has a glossy finish, a larger photo and larger monogram the cost of the two is probably the same.
The front of the card features a photo of Princess Beatrice & Edoardo taken by Princess Eugenie. This photo was released to mark the couple's engagement in September.
The back of the card features Princess Beatrice's monogram along with a message from the couple. The message would have been handwritten once and then scanned and printed onto all the cards.
The card says:
2019
Thank you so much for thinking of us after the engagement. It is so kind of you to wish us happiness for the future. We are so excited to get married and begin life together.
With our very best wishes
Beatrice & Edo.
