Grand Duke Jean Condolence Reply from King Albert & Queen Paola of Belgium (2019)

A very touching reply arrived today from Belgium. I had written to King Albert in April to send my condolences on the death of his brother-in-law, Grand Duke Jean. Grand Duke Jean had married King Albert's sister, Princess Joséphine Charlotte (1927-2005).

The Belgium royals have 10 or so different envelopes that they use. But this one is my favorite.

The front of the envelope is pretty typical for the Belgium Royals.

The back of the envelope features a purple crown, with the name of Albert & Paola's residence, Belvédère. And on the side of the flap is the partial address in French and Dutch. 

But the most beautiful part is the inside, which is lined with purple tissue paper.

The card is pretty typical of Queen Paola, and is on cream colored paper. This is similar to the condolence reply I received from Paola for the passing of her brother, Don Antonello Ruffo di Calabria, in 2017.

The card translates to:

Belvédère 

Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola thank you wholeheartedly for the note of sympathy and compassion that you have addressed to them on the occasion of the death of their dear brother-in-law, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg.

You can look back at all of my replies from Grand Duke Jean here.

Back to Replies - Main Page

Replies from Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg (2016-2019)

All of my replies (2016-2019) from Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg. Grand Duke Jean passed away on April 23rd, 2019.

2016

• 95th Birthday 

2017

• Birthday & Illness

2018

• Christmas (2017) & Birthday 

2019 

• Christmas (2018) & Birthday 
• Death of Princess Alix

Condolence Reply for Jean's Passing

• From King Albert & Queen Paola of Belgium

Back to Replies - Main Page

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg - Birthday Reply (2019)

A lovely reply arrived last month from Luxembourg. I had written to Grand Duke Henri for his 64th birthday.

The envelope is the usual from the Luxembourg Royals. The back of the envelope features the same blue crown as the card.

The card is similar to past years. But the message is gets changed each year. 

The card reads: 

Luxembourg, April 2019 

All my thanks for your kind wishes on the occasion of my 64th birthday.  

Henri

Included with the card is a photo of Grand Duke Henri. The photo is from a set that was released in December 2017. This is the first time I've gotten a photo from the Luxembourg royals included with a birthday card.

Credit: Grand Ducal Court / Lola Velasco

The back of the photo includes a notice about "conditions of use of this photo," which are all pretty standard. 

Back to Replies - Main Page

Princess Eléonore of Belgium - Birthday Reply (2019)

A lovely, unexpected reply arrived today from Belgium. I had written to King Philippe last month for his 59th birthday and got a reply for that last week.

One of the things I mentioned in my birthday letter to the King was his daughter Princess Eléonore's birthday, as it is the day after the King's. I usually do this, if I can remember. Normally I've just gotten King Philippe's birthday reply. But this year, I got a 2nd reply for Princess Eléonore's 11th birthday.

It is interesting that is was sent separately and postmarked 4 days after the King's.

The envelope is the same as the one for King Philippe's birthday reply, except the postmark is different. The different postmarks could indicate that there is different staff working on mail for the two events/royals. Based on what I've seen over the years, it seems like King Philippe mail is answered by one set of staff and then the Queen & their children's mail is answered by another set.

But given that I've gotten 11 or 12 different envelopes from the Belgium Royals, using 5 different postmarks, it not really clear.

The card is usual from the King's family. it is a flat card with a pre-typed message.

The card reads:

Their Majesties the King and the Queen thank you for the kind greetings that you have addressed to the Princess Eléonore on the occasion of her 11th birthday.

With the card is a photo of Princess Eléonore. I don't know much about the photo except that is was released on her birthday.

Back to Replies - Main Page

King Philippe of Belgium - Birthday Reply (2019)

A lovely reply arrived today from Belgium. I had written to King Philippe last month to which him a happy 59th birthday.

The envelope is pretty usual from Belgium and features the purple crown with "Palais de Bruxelles" (Palace of Brussels) underneath. The back of the envelope is blank. 

Inside is the usual flat card along with a photo of King Philippe. The card is written in French.  

The card says: 

Palace of Brussels

His Majesty the King has received the kind greetings that you have addressed to him at the occasion of his 59th birthday. 

The King thanks you very cordially.

Brussels, April 2019 

Included with the card is a photo of King Philippe. I don't know much about this photo, other than it was released for his birthday this year.

Back to Replies - Main Page

Queen Margrethe of Denmark - Birthday Reply (2019)

A lovely reply arrived from Denmark recently. I had written to Queen Margrethe last month for her birthday.

The front of the envelope is the typical from the Denmark Royals.

The back of the envelope features a black crown. And if you look closely, you can see the lovely patterned edge on the envelope flaps. 

Inside is a letter written by Commander Peter Herman Gandrup, one of the Queen's aides-de-camp.     

                                                                                                             
The letter reads:

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

P. H. Gandrup 

Aide-de-camp

Back to Replies - Main Page

Congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Sussex!

What wonderful news today from the Sussexs! Congratulations on the birth of your son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor!

If would like to send the couple a letter or card to congratulation them, we have a helpful guide.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on May 6, 2019 at 6:37am PDT