Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Caroline Smith received a surprise this week, a card from His Majesty King Charles III. The card was sent in response to the borough’s condolence messages including one from the Borough Mayor which were sent to His Majesty The King on the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
During the national 10-day mourning period observed in September, Wokingham Borough joined the rest of the country in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Many residents signed the book of condolence at the council’s Civic Offices in Shute End. Handwritten and email messages were also accepted, printed and combined in the book of condolences. An online book of condolence was also set up on the Royal Family official website for those wanting to send their condolences digitally.
The card from His Majesty King Charles III reads:
“It was so very kind of you to send me such a wonderfully generous message following the death of my beloved mother. Your most thoughtful words are enormously comforting, and I cannot tell you how deeply they are appreciated at this time of immense sorrow.”
The card was signed “Charles R”.
Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Caroline Smith said: “Upon checking my post, I noticed an envelope bearing the new cypher of King Charles III and a franked stamp from Buckingham Palace. To my surprise, it was a beautiful card featuring a photograph of His Majesty as a young boy with his late mother Queen Elizabeth II. The card inscription was touching, acknowledging the condolence messages and how much they were appreciated at this time of immense sorrow. The passing of Queen Elizabeth II is extremely sad and she will be greatly missed by millions of people around the world.
“I am delighted to receive the card and share The King’s gracious message with borough residents. It is so kind of His Majesty to send such a thoughtful card especially at a time of great sadness. My condolences and thoughts continue to be with His Majesty The King and the Royal Family. Long live The King.”
Description of the card
The envelope features the Buckingham Palace franking stamp along with His Majesty’s cypher.
The front of the card also includes the cypher. The cypher is the Sovereign’s monogram, consisting of the initials of the monarch’s name, Charles, and title, Rex which is Latin for King, alongside a representation of the Crown. The cypher is the personal property of The King and was selected by His Majesty from a series of designs prepared by The College of Arms. The King’s cypher will appear on government buildings, state documents and on some post boxes. It is used by government departments and by the Royal Household for franking mail.
Inside the card, a colour image of the young King Charles is shown with his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. They are smiling whilst looking out of a window. The card is believed to have been taken at Balmoral Castle in Scotland in 1952 when King Charles was four years old.
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