Updated: 26 April 2021
It’s always a lovely surprise to receive mail, so long as it is not the latest bill or credit card statement, or an advertisement for something that is not very interesting.
In the past two weeks, I have received quite a few tweets and comments asking how I was the lucky recipient of the Thank You postcard from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Catherine “Kate” née Middleton). I now feel daft for being [one of the] first to post it on Instagram with all the hashtags only to have that very post shared on online magazines. I like sharing but I didn’t expect the attention on a larger scale.
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So firstly, let me assure all of you that I do not know The Cambridges personally. Although I called it a Christmas card – because it was a Thank You for the Christmas card I’d sent two weeks prior – it is not the Christmas card that they would send to those they have met. This is a postcard for anyone who has sent them a letter or card wishing them a Happy Christmas and New Year. Anyone may write to any member of the [British] Royal Family. Senders will usually receive a response of some form – a letter or postcard – but one never knows when it will arrive.
The message on the back
I started to write to a few members in 2015. I was really nervous because I didn’t want to make any mistakes. I’m not sure how much people write (maybe it’s as simple as ‘Happy Christmas!’) but I wanted each card to be as personal as those that I send to my family and friends. From the last two letters I received from The Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, I know that anything I write to The Queen is read. (This is why I’m even more nervous when I write to Her Majesty.) I’m not sure if my cards to The Cambridges are ever read but it must be particularly time consuming to have to read every letter and respond to each one!
If you would like to write to the royals, the addresses are below (if you’re abroad, don’t forget to add ‘UK’). At the bottom of this post, I have also included links to articles and blogposts that will help you with the formalities.
To The Queen
Her Majesty The Queen
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
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(Front of the card and stamp)
A letter thanking me for the letter and present to The Duke of Edinburgh
To The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William, Catherine ‘Kate’, George, Charlotte, Louis)
TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Clarence House
London SW1A 1BA
*This is listed on the official website of the Royal Family. Some will write directly to Kensington Palace (postal code: W8 4PU) and there are some who will send letters to St James’s Palace (postal code: SW1A 1BS). Either way, the letters will get to the right ‘department’ so don’t fret too much!
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To The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Prince Harry & Meghan)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Clarence House
London SW1A 1BA
*Some will send letters to St James’s Palace (postal code: SW1A 1BS).
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To The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
Clarence House
London SW1A 1BA
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To The Princess Royal (Princess Anne)
HRH The Princess Royal
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
View this post on Instagram
Princess Beatrice
HRH Princess Beatrice
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
View this post on Instagram
Princess Eugenie
HRH Princess Eugenie
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
Guide on Writing to the Royal Family
- Royal.uk for other members of the Royal Family
- Debrett’s
- The Crown Chronicles
- Princeofwales.gov.uk (for children but very helpful)
- What Would Kate Do?
The Lady and the Rose 