Princess Adrienne - Birth Reply (2018)

An adorable little surprise arrived today from Sweden! I had written to Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neil in March to send them my deepest congratulations on the birth of their daughter, Princess Adrienne.

As I had written for all the Swedish Royal Baby births since Prince Nicolas and never received a reply, I wasn't expecting anything this time.

But of course, I'm always happy to be surprised.

The envelope is just a simple little thing, with a sticker for the postmark and address. The envelope usually features the Swedish royal coat of arms, but not this time.

Inside was a lovely little card, similar to the one I received for Prince Gabriel's Christening, but this doesn't have a glossy finish. The front of the card features Madeleine & Chris's joint monogram.

Inside is a message from the couple with their signatures printed on. (See back of card for translation.)

The inside also features a lovely photo of Princess Adrienne with Madeleine, with the Princess's date of birth at the bottom, March 9th, 2018.

The back of the card has an English translation of the message glued to the card. 

The message reads: 

From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank you for the kindness and thoughtfulness that you have shown us since the birth of Adrienne. 

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Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg - Birthday Reply (2018)

I sent two letters to Luxembourg recently, one for Grand Duchess Maria Teresa's birthday in March and one for Grand Duke Henri's birthday in April.

The replies came in the usual sort of envelope. But what was most interesting is the stamps are from 2002 & 2005, so they are both over a decade old. But was it really cool is they are actually the old stamps you have to lick. Most countries stopped making these kinds of stamps around 2008.

It also interesting to see that the two sets of stamps are for different amounts. I looked it up and the price to mail sometime like this from Luxembourg to USA is 1,30€, so they overpaid with both replies. I assume they were just trying to use up their old stamps and weren't too worried about overpaying.

Inside was the typical reply from Luxembourg, a flat card, with a pre-made message for the occasion. Before I've always gotten an English reply from Luxembourg. I assume this time they just ran out of the English replies, so they had to use one of the others. Luxembourg has three official languages: Luxembourgish, French, & German.

Grand Duke Henri's reply is in French.

Translated the card reads:

Luxembourg, 16th April 2018

His Royal Highness the Grand Duke warmly thanks you for the kind wishes on the occasion of his birthday.

This attention gave him great pleasure.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa's Reply is in Luxembourgish. 

Translated the card reads:

Luxembourg, 22nd March 2018

Your dear birthday wishes have given me much joy and touched me deeply.

I thank you very much with all my heart.

Maria Teresa 

You will notice in addition to being in different languages, the two replies are formatted a little differently (color, 1st person vs. 3rd person, title vs. name, etc.). That is just the Luxembourg Royals. While they always reply with a flat card, they do not have a consistent format or style.

You will notice both replies are dated with the Royal's birthday.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark - Birthday Reply (2018)

A reply arrived earlier this week from Denmark. I had written to Queen Margrethe for her 78th Birthday last month.

The reply is the typical from Queen Margrethe, a form letter written by Aide-de-camp. The message is the same as last year.

The Letter says: 

Dear Miss Gertrude Daly

Her Majesty the Queen has asked me to express to you Her sincere thanks for your kind greetings  on the occasion of Her Majesty's birthday. 

Yours Sincerely, 

[Signature]

Aide-de-camp

More of Queen Margrethe of Denmark's Replies

Prince Philip - Get Well Soon Reply (2018)

A letter arrived earlier this week from the UK. I had written to Prince Philip to send him my best wishes for a speedy recovery following his hip replacement surgery.

The letter is from Mrs. Suzy Lethbridge, Prince Philip's Correspondence Secretary. This is the 1st time I've gotten a reply from her. In the past, I've always gotten replies from one of Prince Philip's Assistant Equerries.

The letter is a form letter they send out to everyone who wrote to Prince Philip after his surgery. The signature is printed on.

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Princess Marie of Liechtenstein - Birthday reply (2018)

This reply arrived today from Liechtenstein. I had written to Princess Marie for her 78th Birthday.

The front of the envelope is the usual from the Liechtenstein Royals. 

It's the usual Birthday reply from the Liechtenstein Royal Family: pre-made message, lovely embossed coat of arms at the top, textured edge and signature.

The cards days: 

Many thanks for your kind wishes

On the occasion of my birthday 

Marie Liechtenstein

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Prince Laurent & Princess Claire of Belgium - 15th Wedding Anniversary Reply (2018)

 A reply arrived today from Belgium!

I had written to Prince Laurent and Princess Claire (King Philippe's brother and sister-in-law) to congratulate them on their 15th Wedding anniversary.

They replied with a typical Belgium Royal Envelope (or a typical as it can be given the many different versions). The front features a purple crown with Palais de Bruxelles/Palace of Brussels written underneath.

I love the fancy font of the address. It is something we see ocassionally from the Belgium Royals.



Inside is the typical flat card.



Translated the message reads:

Palace of Brussels 

Service of His Royal Highness Prince Laurent

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Laurent and Princess Claire thank you very much for the congratulations you sent them on the occasion of their fifteenth wedding anniversary.

Prince Albert of Monaco - Birthday Reply (2018)

 A reply arrived today from Monaco for the letter I sent Prince Albert for his 60th Birthday. The reply is similar to his past birthday replies.

The envelope features a postmark celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the P.E.N. Club of Monaco. The P.E.N. Club is an international organization of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists. The envelope also features a stamp commemorating the 2017 Monte-Carlos International Circus Festival, which Princess Stephanie is president of and a stamp of an Anthias Anthias fish (commonly known as the swallowtail seaperch) which is native to the Mediterranean Sea, where Monaco is located.



The reply is the usual flat card, with Prince Albert's Monogram embossed. As always, the card is dated with Prince Albert's Birthday. They have changed up the message slightly year to year. Unlike Princess Charlene's birthday replies, Prince Albert's are not always bi-lingual. But of course, there is a french version of the reply they can send out. The signature is printed on.



The card says: 

Palace of Monaco 

March 14th, 2018.

I was very grateful to receive your kind wishes on the occasion of my 60th Birthday and I send you my very best regards.  

Albert de Monaco

You will probably notice the lines on the paper. It is called laid. It is from the paper manufacturing process. Laid Paper is an older paper making technique that was originally done by hand with wire screens, that created the distinctive line. I really like it because it gives the paper a really nice texture and feel. And, as it is a more expensive process, it's usually higher quality paper.

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