The Prince and Princess of Wales have been surprising their royal fans as it has been revealed on social media that members of the public are only just receiving responses to their Christmas wishes. Their Christmas cards have been arriving in letterboxes three months after the big day.
Broadcaster Simon Glazelle pointed this out on Instagram, and he was inundated with people sharing their stories. "I got mine yesterday and I'm living in Romania, it cheered me up," penned one user and: "I just received mine in the United States today," added another. A third wrote: "It always takes very long for a response. I did receive the King’s response in late February, though. I’m still awaiting my response from the Prince and Princess of Wales."
Etiquette experts Debrett's note that "late is invariably better than never" when it comes to thank you cards or letters. Their website reads: "Letters or cards should be sent as promptly as possible."
The royal couple often send out thank you cards, and they did so to their fans following well-wishes about their 10-year wedding anniversary.
The royal family are sent thousands of cards each year and also presented with an array of gifts. Have you ever wondered what happens to them all?
© GettyAccording to official royal gift policy, royals including William and Kate's children can accept gifts from individuals not personally known to members of the royal family, including the public, if they fulfill the following criteria: Flowers, foodstuff, and other consumable items (within reasonable quantities); copies of books presented by the author, provided the subject matter is not controversial; and, other items of small monetary value, i.e. items costing less than £150.
© GettyPrincess Kate's kind gift for hospital staff
Occasionally, the shoe is on the other foot, and royals choose to send gifts to others. Earlier this year, Princess Kate made a cute donation to the Royal Marsden, where she had been treated for an undisclosed form of cancer. "To the Patients and Staff at The Royal Marsden, as spring arrives, these narcissi from the Isles of Scilly are to say I am thinking of you all. Catherine." The message was also shared on the royal's social media account.
In response, the Royal Marsden replied: "A huge thank you to HRH The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden with HRH The Prince of Wales, for the kind donation of beautiful narcissi to display in our hospitals so our patients and staff may enjoy them. An incredibly thoughtful gesture."
© GettyFans were also moved by Kate's sweet gesture, as one commented: "What a thoughtful delivery," and a second added: "Beautiful gesture and thought. She is a pure, gentle soul and we are lucky to have her."
