The Queen’s touching letters to royal fans

The Queen has been writing moving “thank you” cards to royal fans who sent Christmas wishes to her this year, as she spent her first festive period without her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

One of the letters was shared by a fan on her Instagram account. Written on headed notepaper from Windsor Castle, it read, “The Queen wishes me to thank you for the message you sent for Christmas and the New Year, which is greatly appreciated.

“Her Majesty has been most grateful for the particular kindness and support shown to her over the past year and I am to thank you very much for your thoughtfulness in writing at this time.”

The message was signed by one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, Annabel Whitehead.

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The Queen, 95, spend the Christmas holiday period at Windsor Castle for the second year running, this time joined by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

It was the first Christmas since Prince Philip died at the age of 99, in April 2021. The couple were married for 73 years and shared four children, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Earlier this month, the Queen travelled to her Sandringham home in Norfolk as she prepares to mark the 70^th year of her reign on Sunday 6 February. It’s a bittersweet day as it also marks the anniversary of her father King George VI’s death.

To celebrate the UK’s longest ever reigning Monarch, there are hundreds of activities and events taking place throughout the year. From a competition for a new Platinum pudding, to a pageant and a palace party, we’ve rounded up all the details here.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io