This lovely reply arrived last week from the UK. I had written to Queen Camilla to wish her a happy Birthday.
The envelope is not the usual we see from the British Royals. Although I have received this same style envelope from Queen Elizabeth before.
What is unusual from the front of the envelope is the use of real stamps. The two stamps are from the first set of definitive stamps of King Charles that were released during his reign.
I have seen others who got this same reply with a new updated Postmark and pre-paid postage, but looked to be postmarked after my reply. So, the use of stamps could be just a temporary, measure as they are redoing the postmark/pre-paid postage.
The Circle Court Post Office Postmark is one that has been used for years. We don't see it often for normal replies as it is usually just used when you use stamps as you have to cancel the stamp, but don't need to pre-paid for postage.
There is then a 2nd or Double Postmark that was applied when this mail was processed through the Mount Pleasant Post Office. The British Heart Foundation Postmark is applied to all mail processed through the Mount Pleasant Post Office.
The back of the envelope features The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom that is used by the Monarch. Camilla has a different Coat of Arms. The Palace has likely not yet made a envelope with Camilla's new monogram in this size. Or are trying to use up the stock of existing envelopes.
While being a larger size to accommodate the large card, this is also a different type of envelope. Some might call it a "Flat." It typically used for mailing something thicker (or more pages) than a standard envelope. The envelope is the size of a piece of paper folded in half. And is used less for well-wishers and more for official correspondence. The envelope has a tear strip built into the side to allow for easy opening.
The only time I have received this envelope before was when I received mail from a staff member that was multiple pages.
Inside is Queen Camilla's usually sort of Birthday Reply, a large flat card with photo on the front and message on the back. The photo on the front was one of the official Coronation Photos taken Hugo Burnand in the Green Drawing Room on the day of the Coronation.
The back of the card features Camilla's Cypher the Letters "C" for Camilla intertwined with "R" for "Regina" (Latin for Queen), under the Tudor Crown. The signature is autopenned.
The message reads:
I greatly appreciated your birthday Message. So many thanks for your kind thoughts.
Camilla R
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