Once upon a time…this is how most fairy tales begin but not so with this one. A few days after The Wedding of Prince William and his beloved Kate, my friend Gail called me with an interesting idea. I can’t remember whether or not she read about it or if someone she knew told her about a British tradition associated with a royal wedding. Apparently, it’s a custom for the Queen to reply to well-wishers who send a note of congratulations to her on the occasion of her grandson’s wedding. One of the Queen’s Ladies in Waiting will send a thank-you note. As Gail said, “this is right up your alley”!
And she was right; not only did I decide to write a note in my name, I also wrote one in Finley’s name. I thought it would be a wonderful keepsake for her. I had my doubts that we would ever receive a reply and a couple of times I meant to mention it to Chiara because I was afraid she might toss the envelope out as junk mail. Well weeks went by and I forgot about the letters.
Today my daughter called and said, “Have you seen Facebook“? I hadn’t so I got on the computer while Chiara was telling me how amazing it was that Finley Ray had received a Thank-you note from the Queen of England! I screamed!!! Chiara had posted the letter on Facebook thinking that maybe Finley’s dad, Tom, had a hand in this. “No, it was me”! I was so happy it had actually arrived and on Facebook, it’s getting a lot comments.
Well I can’t wait to see if my response has arrived. I have a week’s worth of mail to go through when I get home. And I better tell Peter so he doesn’t think it’s some junk mail!
Here is the letter, I hope they frame it and save it for Finny; direct from Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth Thanks Finley Ray
Thank you Queen Elizabeth!
Thank you Gail!
Bill Ding and his band of clowns are the security patrol for this blog site. He is a favorite toy from the 50*s. By the way sometimes a blog is just an ego-maniacal stream of conscience.
That’s pretty terrific!
Well what do you know! It worked! The address came from one of my English clients who has gifted me with three different packages over the last weeks of all things Kate and William! A tea towel, mug, tote bag, commemorative cookie tin, and just the other day, I received Kate and William stamps! In one of her notes, she mentioned the writing to the Queen to send the couple good wishes, with a reply to come from a Lady-In-Waiting. While I certainly do not believe in fairy tales and especially Prince Charmings, I love that Finley Ray has this historical document to appreciate when she gets older, all because she has such a fun and wonderful grandmother. So glad to be a tiny part of it all!
I would say BIG part, if it weren’t for you passing along this tidbit, it would never have happened. Wish I could have seen Chiara’s face when she opened the envelope.
So cute. I was wondering who actually wrote to the Queen. If it was you or Chiara. What a wonderful idea!