This covers the evolution of the Wales (formerly the Cambridges)'s envelopes from 2014 when I started writing to them to the present. This post will just focus on the big changes.
The front of the envelopes are originally blank with the address printed on, and the usually Postmark from the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace. You can read more about the Postmarks here.
This reply just covers the envelopes used by the Correspondence Section to reply to well-wishers. Prince William & Princess Kate have other stationery that they use for things from their office and for personal use.
Solo Monogram (? - 2016)
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| William's envelope - Postcard Size |
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| Kate's Envelope - Letter Size |
Prince William & Princess Kate had their own solo stationary. This is still used by the couple,
The stopped using this for well-wishers in 2016, but continue to use it for official and personal use.
When sending out joint replies, or for things related to their children they usually used Prince William's Monogram as tradition is to use the stationary of the more senior royal.
Each envelope features the royal's solo monogram. The monogram was designed by the College of Arms and features the same coronet used on their coat of arms. A coronet is a small crown. And the British Royals & nobility use different coronets to denote a person's rank or status. This coronet is for "The Children of the Heir Apparent." This is why we see this same crown used by William, Kate, Harry & Meghan on their monograms during Queen Elizabeth's Reign.
Prince William's Monogram is in Wren Press Red, the same color used by Queen Elizabeth & King Charles on their stationery. Duchess Kate's is in a yellow gold.
Sizes:
- Letter
- Postcard size
Black Crown/Kensington Palace
(2016-Present)
In 2016, William, Kate & Harry's replies switched from each having their own solo monogrammed stationery to this shared stationery. This change was partly to help cut costs and made it easier for the correspondence section. When Meghan joined the Royal Family, she became the 4th royal to use this stationery. William & Kate continued to use this stationary when the Sussexes stepped down as working royals.
The envelope features the coronet of "The Children of the Heir Apparent," which was used on the coat of arms for William, Kate, Harry & Meghan at the time. Underneath is "Kensington Palace," the colloquial name & location of William & Kate household. ("Kensington Palace" on the envelope reflects the main location of their office, not where the envelope was actually sent from.)
The switch to Black was, in part, a cost-cutting measure, but also reflects that the stationary is used by multiple Royals. When William & Harry's monograms were first announced to the public, Clarence House noted that while the solo monograms were in different colors, when the Princes' monograms appeared together they should be printed in black.
Used by:
- Prince William & Duchess Kate
- Replies to Well-Wishers (2016-Present)
- Letter
- Postcard
