Dreaming of a truly special piece of post this festive season? You might be closer than you think to receiving a Christmas card from the Royal Family. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a title or a palace address to get on the mailing list for the Prince and Princess of Wales. The secret is charmingly simple: send one to them first.
The Simple Secret to a Royal Reply
If your Christmas wish is a card from Catherine, Princess of Wales, the process is straightforward. All you need to do is post a Christmas card to the royal couple at their official residence. Ensure you clearly write your return address on the back of the envelope. In response, royal staff will send back a card featuring a pre-printed thank-you message and a photograph.
The ideal address to use is: TRH The Prince & Princess of Wales, Kensington Palace, London, United Kingdom, W8 4PX. There's no strict protocol for the message inside; a warm 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year' is perfectly acceptable, though you can also pen a more personal note if you wish. You could even include early birthday wishes for the Princess, who turns 44 on January 9.
Key Dates and Posting Advice
Timing is crucial to ensure your card arrives before Christmas. For those posting within the UK, Royal Mail's last recommended posting dates for 2025 are December 17 for Second Class and December 20 for First Class mail.
International senders are also welcome to post cards. The critical step is to use the correct international postage for your country to avoid the item being lost or returned. Regardless of where you live, forgetting to include your return address means you will not receive a reply.
Patience is advised, as the royal households receive a tremendous volume of correspondence during the festive period. It can take staff several months to work through all the mail and send out responses.
Other Royals You Can Write To
The Prince and Princess of Wales are not the only members of the family you can contact. If you wish to extend your festive greetings further, you can also send cards to:
- The King and Queen, Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
- The Princess Royal, Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
- The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Bagshot Park, Bagshot, Surrey, GU19 5PL
For contact details for other members of the Royal Family, or for guidance on sending more formal correspondence, the official Royal Family website is the best source of information.
