Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg - Birthday Reply (2023)

I received this reply earlier this year from Luxembourg. I had written to Princess Stephanie to wish her a Happy Birthday. 

The envelope is the standard envelope from the Luxembourg Royals. 

Inside is a flat card that is pretty identical to her past Birthday Replies with the same message. 

The cards says: 

Her Royal Highness, The Hereditary Grand-Duchess, greatly appreciates your kind wishes on her birthday and sincerely thanks you. 

Luxembourg, February 2023

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Prince Charles of Luxembourg's 1st Birthday Reply (2021)

 I received this reply back in 2021 for Prince Charles's 1st Birthday. 

This was one of the last replies I received from Luxembourg with an real stamp. shortly after this they switched to pre-paid postage.  The stamp is part of a set released in 2019 called "Rural Tourism." The stamp is created by Eugène Kalmus. The postmark says "Ech loosse mech impfen covidvaccination.lu" (I get vaccinated).

Inside if a folded card, similar to Prince Charles's Birth Reply. The front of the card features the Greater Coat of Arms of Prince Guillaume. This look to be hand drawn/painted and is the same one used on Prince Charles's birth reply. 

The inside of the card features a photo of Prince Charles taken by Sophie Margue. The inside has a typed message in Luxembourgish. The text is in a pale blue color. It is easier to read in person. 

The card says:

Thank you very much for your kind birthday wishes for our son, Prince Charles.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the well-wishes you have shown on the occasion of the first birthday of our son, Prince Charles.

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Luxembourg Standard Envelopes (2016-Present)

This post covers the standard envelopes regularly used by the Luxembourg Royals. Any special envelope is covered in the blog post for the reply.  The years listed are based on when I received the envelope.

Dark Crown

2021-Present

The big reason for the change is the switch to a pre-printed postage box that is printed on the envelope. PC1005130 is the Luxembourg Palace's account number with Post Luxembourg. The "Service du Grand-Duc" (Service of the Grand Duke) is added to the normal Postage Paid box just for the Palace's use. 

The back of the envelope features a dark blue crown, the Grand-Ducal crown of Luxembourg. The crown is the same as the previous envelope used, except it is embossed and raised more than the previous one. This made the details less visible. 

Black Edge - Mourning

2023-Present

The envelope is used for Mourning. 

Light Blue Crown/Stamp 

?-2016-2022

The front of the envelope is originally blank. The palace usually used real stamps on the envelope. The words "Service du Grand-Duc" (Service of the Grand Duke) is stamped on.  The address was usually printed onto the envelope, but sometimes they would use an address sticker. 

Stamp

As the palace was transitioning to the new stationary, the palace started using a pre-paid postage sticker. 

Sticker Pre-Paid Postage

The back of the envelope features a light blue crown that is very so slightly embossed. The Crown is the Grand-Ducal crown of Luxembourg.

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The Waleses Condolences Reply following Queen Elizabeth II's Death (2022)

This reply arrived last week. I had written to Prince William & Princess Kate last September following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This is the 2nd reply I have received for the death of Queen Elizabeth. 

The envelope was the standard from the couple. I've recently decided to repeat myself one hundred times about standard envelopes. We explain details on their envelope here. And you can find information on the standard postmark here. 

Inside is a folded card. This is not the couple's usually reply. But we have seen this before for their reply for Prince Philip's Death. (The one big difference was the reply for Prince Philip was printed on a more expensive glossy paper.)

The front of the card features the couple's monograms. The couple are still using the coronets of the "Children of the Heir". We have yet to see the couple switch over to the Crown of the Heir on any of their stationary or other things. 

The back of the card features a credit to the photographer, "Paul Hackett/PA Images". 

The black border is for mourning. And is an old Victorian-era tradition, that I find especially lovely. While some royals use this black mourning edging, it's not required that royals use it. 

Inside the card is a photo of Queen Elizabeth II taken on November 22, 2011 at the official welcoming ceremony for the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul's State Visit to the UK. The Waleses did not participate in the State Visit. So, the photo was likely chosen for it's look and had no personal significance to the couple. 

The message is similar to the one for Prince Philip's passing, but is worded differently. 

The card says: 

The Prince and Princess of Wales would like to thank you for the kind words you sent following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.  

Their Royal Highnesses have been extremely touched by the very thoughtful messages of condolence that they have received during this time.  

They will deeply miss Her Majesty, who played such an important part of both of their lives, but so appreciate your message which has provided them with a great deal of comfort. 

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Evolution of the Waleses' Envelopes (2014-Present)

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)  

William's envelope - Postcard Size

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)

Sizes: 

• Letter
• Postcard

King Felipe of Spain - Birthday & Condolence Reply (2023)

I had written to King Felipe in January for his birthday included in my letter my condolences for the passing of his uncle King Constantine of Greece. 

In response to my letter I received two replies about a month apart. The envelopes for both were the same and the usual I receive from the Spain Royals. Printed on the envelope is a circle with "Office of HM the King - Protocol" along with the King's coat of arms. The back of the envelope is blank.

The first letter is to thank me for my Birthday Wishes. It is the usual sort of letter from King Felipe's office. 

The letter translated says: 

The Head of HM the King's Household

Palace de la Zarzuela

March 3rd, 2023

Ms. Gertrude Alexandra Daly 

[My Address] 

From the Head of the Household of His Majesty the King

His Majesty the King has asked me to convey to you, on his behalf, his affectionate gratitude for the warm congratulations that you have sent him on his birthday. 

With kind regards,

Jaime Alfonsin

A 2nd letter arrived a month later thanking me for my message of condolence. The letter is the same form as the one above. 

The letter translated says: 

The Head of HM the King's Household

Palace de la Zarzuela

March 3rd, 2023

Ms. Gertrude Alexandra Daly 

[My Address] 

From the Head of the Household of His Majesty the King

In response to his message of solidarity and support after the death of His Majesty King Constantine of Greece, I am charged by His Majesty the King to express his gratitude for your moving words. 

Please accept my warmest regards,  

Jaime Alfonsin

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Writing to King Charles & Queen Camilla for their Coronation (2023)

 

Writing for the 1st time?

If you are writing to the Royals for the 1st time (or want a refresher on the basics) check out our "How To" tab. This post will only cover the specifics for writing to King Charles & Queen Camilla for their coronation.

And remember, International Mail requires extra postage! Check with your local post office for the correct amount.

Where to write? 

Buckingham Palace

London SW1A 1AA

UNITED KINGDOM

Since Charles's accession, the Palace has directed King Charles & Queen Camilla's mail to be sent to Buckingham Palace. 

You can find all the addresses for other royal here. For something like this I usually just write to the person the event is for, not extended family. But, if I am writing to a family member for another reason,  I might mention the Coronation. (I.e. In my Birthday letter to Prince George, I would probably mention that he did a good job as a Page of Honour.)

When to write?

Don't feel like you have to get your letter/card out today. I think anytime between now, and a few weeks after the coronation is a perfectly acceptable time to write. 

Personally, for things like this, I like to write after the event, so I can mentioned something that happened in my letter. 

What to Write?

I very often get asked this question. The answer is, write whatever you feel like writing about. There is no one right answer. As long as you are being respectful and thoughtful, it is hard to go wrong.

 You can send a letter or a card, either is perfectly fine. 

You don't need to write something long and elaborate. You can keep it simple and just give your congratulations or best wishes. Or, if you want you can write something longer, keep your letter to 1-page max. 

You can talk about:

• The Coronation
• What it means for you
• What you are doing to mark the event
• Your participation in a local:
• Big Lunch
• Big Help
• What you like best about the ceremony/ or are looking forward to
• King Charles's reign so far
• What work they do that you particularly admire
• Etc. 

How to Style Charles & Camilla

You can write to the couple together, or if you prefer, you can write to just one of them. 

How you refer to the couple depends on how formal you wish to be:

Envelope:

• Solo - Charles
• HM The King
• The King
• TM King Charles
• King Charles
• Etc. 

If Charles goes by a different title where you are from, you could use that instead. (I.e. The King of Canada)

• Solo- Camilla
• HM The Queen Consort
• The Queen 
• HM Queen Camilla
• Queen Camilla
• Etc. 

• Joint: 
• TM The King & Queen 
• The King & Queen Consort
• TM King Charles & Queen Camilla
• Etc. 

Dear _,  Line: 

• Solo - Charles
• Your Majesty
• Sir
• Charles
• Solo - Camilla
• Your Majesty
• Ma'am
• Camilla
• Joint
• Your Majesties
• Sir and Ma'am
• Charles & Camilla

Sending a Gift?

The Royals prefer well-wishers to make a donation to charity instead of sending a gift. You can mention your charitable donation in your letter and include some information about the organization. Some organizations I might recommend: 

• Charles's Charities 
• The Prince's Trust - A org that supports 11-to-30-year-olds who are unemployed or struggling at school and at risk of exclusion.
• Scottish Wildlife Trust - Wildlife Organization 
• Royal Shakespeare Company - A Organization that works to conserve, advance and disseminate Shakespearean drama literature and knowledge
• Camilla's Charities
• Barnardo's - A Charity that help vulnerable children focusing on issues from fostering and adoption, young carers, sexual exploitation, poverty, and domestic violence. 
• The National Literacy Trust - Literacy charity
• Ebony Horse Club - A charity that helps to raise aspirations, education, life skills, and well-being of young people through horses.

But feel free to make a donation to a local charity if you prefer. That may be easier for international people. 

What to Expect in Reply?

The Palace has been very slow in getting out replies lately. So, I expect it will be 6+ months before they sent out all the replies. So, be very patient. I know they are still working on the replies for Queen Elizabeth's passing. 

Queen Elizabeth often sent out a folded card for big events. So, I would expect some similar reply from King Charles. Below are two of the cards I received from her. 

Queen Elizabeth's 90th Birthday Card

Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip's 70th Anniversary Card