Death of Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Luxembourg (2023)

I received this reply last year when I had written Grand Duke Henri to express my condolence on the death of his aunt, Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Luxembourg. Marie-Gabrielle was the sister of Grand Duke Jean and daugther of Grand Duchess Charlotte.

This is the 2nd mourning reply I have received from the Luxembourg Royals. I had previously written following the death of Princess Alix, who was Princess Marie-Gabrielle's sister. That reply was from Grand Duke Jean and written on slightly different stationary. 

The envelope was a special one. It features black edging for mourning. The inside of the envelope is lined with black tissue paper. You can find the the envelope here along with the standard envelope. 

Inside was the usual sort of flat card. This has the same black edging as the envelope. 

The card says: 

His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg very much appreciated your message of sympathy on the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Luxembourg. 

His Royal Highness would like to convey to you His sincerest thanks. 

More Replies from the Luxembourg Royals

Duchess Camilla - Birthday Reply (2019)

A lovely reply arrived today from the UK. I had written to Duchess Camilla last month to wish her a happy birthday.

The front of the envelope is pretty typical of the British royals, except for the fact that this is a larger envelope.

The back of the envelope feature's Camilla's monogram. Since the monogram is blue, we know came from Clarence House. Camilla uses an envelope with green monograms for Birkhall in Scotland, where she is spending her summer break with Prince Charles.

Inside is the usual sort of reply for Duchess Camilla's birthday, a large photo card with typed message on the back. This card is twice the size as the normal photo cards that Clarence House sends out for other royal birthdays.

The front features a photo of Duchess Camilla at the Hermitage Plantation House in Saint Kitts and Nevis during her Spring tour with Prince Charles in March. The photo was taken by royal photographer, Arthur Edward.

The back of the card features a typed message along with Camilla's auto-penned signature.

The card reads:

So many thanks for your kind birthday message.

As always, it was greatly appreciated.

From 

Camilla

Each year, for events like her birthday, Camilla does hand-sign a selection of cards and rest are auto-penned. The last few years I've written I've been lucky enough to get a real signature. But you can't expect to get lucky every year. Either way, it is an absolute treasure.

There are a few ways you can tell something has actually been signed by Camilla:

1. There is some personalization that makes this card just for you, like "Dear _,"
2. Usually closes "With best wishes," instead of "From"
3. The reply is sent by registered/certified mail
4. Not from the correspondence section 
1. Camilla's personal staff will often write the address with each line indented (See 2017 birthday reply)
2. Replies from Birkhall use green monogrammed envelopes

Autopenend signatures:

1. Look the same as other people's replies
2. No personalization
3. Usually say "From," instead of "With best wishes,"
4. Handled by the Correspondence Section

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Liechtenstein Royal Replies - Main Page

Coat of Arms

2024

• Prince Hans-Adam - Condolence Reply for death of Prince Constantin
• Hereditary Prince Alois -  Condolence Reply for death of Prince Constantin

2023

• Hereditary Prince Alois & Hereditary Princess Sophie - Christmas Reply  (2022)
• Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie - 30th Anniversary
• Prince Hans-Adam - Birthday 
• Hereditary Prince Alois - Birthday 

2021

• Prince Hans Adam - Condolence reply for death of Princess Marie

2020

• Princess Marie - Birthday

2019

• Princess Marie - Birthday (W/ Photo)
• Hereditary Princess Sophie - Birthday (Handwritten Note)
• Hereditary Prince Alois - Birthday

2018

• Princess Marie - Birthday
• Hereditary Prince Alois - Birthday
• Hereditary Princess Sophie - Birthday
• Hereditary Prince Alois & Hereditary Princess Sophie - Christmas Reply 

2017

• Princess Marie - Birthday
• Hereditary Princess Sophie - Birthday
• Prince Hans-Adams & Princess Marie - 50th Anniversary
• Hereditary Prince Alois & Hereditary Princess Sophie - Christmas

2016

• Hereditary Princess Sophie - Birthday 
• Hereditary Prince Alois & Hereditary Princess Sophie - Christmas

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Prince Harry - Birthday Reply (2017)

I received a reply today from the UK. I had written to Prince Harry last month for his 33rd Birthday. I got a letter instead of the usual photo reply, which happened last year as well.

The letter reads:

Dear Miss Daly, 

Prince Harry has asked me to thank you for your incredibly thoughtful letter of 13th September.  

His Royal Highness was immensely touched by your kind words of support and he greatly appreciated the generous nature of your comments regarding the work he undertakes both with mental health charities and the Invictus Games Foundation.  

Although unable to reply to you presonally, Prince Harry was most greteful that you should take the trouble to write and has asked me to send you his warmst thanks for your letter and his sincerest best wishes.

Yours Sincerely,
Claudia Spens

It's always nice to get a thoughtful letter, mentioning specific things I wrote about.

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