Here’s How You Can Write to Prince William and Princess Kate to Receive a Royal Christmas Card
With the festive season just around the corner, royal Christmas cards have once again captured the attention of fans of the monarchy. In this, at the top would be Prince William and Princess Kate, who are known to mark the holiday period with an official family card, often featuring a carefully selected photograph of the couple with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. While these cards frequently circulate online, many assume they are reserved only for the royal family’s friends, family, or public figures. However, in reality, receiving royal mail is far more accessible than most people realize.
Interestingly, the public is free to write to the Prince and Princess of Wales at any time of the year. During the holiday season, those letters are often answered with an official Christmas or season's card. Buckingham Palace has previously confirmed that correspondence from the public is welcome, noting that the public is welcome to write to the royals at any time, with letters handled by Palace staff on behalf of the royal household. For those hoping to receive a reply from William and Kate, timing is quite important. Letters sent during November and December are most likely to be answered with a holiday card.
In terms of the language of the messages, they do not need to follow rigid formal language. However, they are expected to be respectful in tone. Including a return address is essential, as Palace offices rely on that information when sending responses. Correspondences for the Prince and Princess of Wales should be addressed to TRH The Prince & Princess of Wales, Kensington Palace, London, United Kingdom, W8 4PX. Replies are not immediate, especially during busy holiday periods, when the sheer number of mails increases significantly.
William and Kate are not the only members of the royal family who acknowledge letters from the public. King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince Edward, Princess Sophie, and Princess Anne also receive correspondence throughout the years. Interest in these exchanges was recently renewed after the Princess Royal's Christmas Card leaked online before its official release.
While Christmas Cards by the royals have long intrigued royal watchers, Charles is known to take a more direct interest in public mail. The official website notes, "The King is shown almost all of his correspondence on a daily basis by one of his Private Secretaries, and he takes a keen interest in the letters he receives." Though there are a few important etiquette rules to keep in mind when writing to the King.
Royal offices advise against raising political matters or requesting personal intervention. Such types of mail will not receive a response, as the website notes, “As a constitutional Monarch, His Majesty does not intervene in any political or personal disputes, and letters asking him to do so will receive a standard reply to this effect.” Gifts sent alongside letters are also not accepted. For many admirers of the monarchy, sending a letter or holiday card to the Palace is a small but meaningful gesture. While a reply is never guaranteed, the possibility of receiving an official card bearing a royal crest adds a sense of excitement.