Sending Christmas greetings to royal families

 Sending Christmas greetings to royal families is a time-honored tradition. Many of them have a dedicated correspondence team that sends out formal reply cards, often featuring a photo of the family from that year.

Here are the addresses for ten royal families known for sending replies.

1. United Kingdom 🇬🇧

The British royals are perhaps the most reliable repliers. You can write to The King and Queen, or The Prince and Princess of Wales.1

• For King Charles III and Queen Camilla:

  His Majesty The King

  Buckingham Palace2

  London, SW1A 1AA

  UNITED KINGDOM3

• For The Prince and Princess of Wales (William and Catherine):4

  TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales5

  Kensington Palace

  London, W8 4PU6

  UNITED KINGDOM7

2. Belgium 🇧🇪

The Belgian palace is known for sending lovely cards, often with a family photo.

• Address:

  His Majesty The King8

  Palais Royal de Bruxelles

  Rue Brederode 169

  B-1000 Bruxelles

  BELGIUM10

3. Denmark 🇩🇰

Note that there is a new King (King Frederik X) as of January 2024.

• Address:

  His Majesty The King

  Amalienborg Slotsplads 8

  Postboks 2143

  DK-1257 Copenhagen K11

  DENMARK

4. Monaco 🇲🇨

The Princely family of Monaco typically sends very high-quality, glossy reply cards.

• Address:

  Son Altesse Sérénissime le Prince Albert II

  Palais Princier de Monaco12

  Boîte Postale 51813

  MC-98015 Monaco Cedex14

  MONACO

5. Spain 🇪🇸

The Spanish Royal Household sends formal replies, though they are sometimes typed letters rather than photo cards.

• Address:

  Su Majestad el Rey Don Felipe VI

  Palacio de La Zarzuela15

  Carretera del Pardo s/n16

  28071 Madrid

  SPAIN

6. Norway 🇳🇴

King Harald V and the Norwegian royals are very consistent with correspondence.

• Address:

  His Majesty The King

  The Royal Court

  The Royal Palace

  P.O. Box 1 Vika17

  NO-0010 Oslo

  NORWAY

7. Sweden 🇸🇪

The Swedish Royal Court sends standard replies, often a card with a printed signature.

• Address:

  His Majesty The King

  Kungl. Slottet

  SE-107 70 Stockholm18

  SWEDEN

8. The Netherlands 🇳🇱

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have a modern correspondence office.

• Address:

  His Majesty The King

  Noordeinde Palace19

  Postbus 30412

  2500 GK Den Haag20

  THE NETHERLANDS

9. Luxembourg 🇱🇺

The Grand Ducal family is smaller but very polite regarding correspondence.

• Address:

  His Royal Highness The Grand Duke

  Palais Grand-Ducal21

  17, rue du Marché-aux-Herbes

  L-1728 Luxembourg

  LUXEMBOURG

10. Liechtenstein 🇱🇮

This small principality is excellent at replying, often sending cards signed by the secretariat.

• Address:

  H.S.H. The Prince of Liechtenstein

  Schloss Vaduz22

  9490 Vaduz

  LIECHTENSTEIN

✉️ Tips for Success

• Timing: Send your cards early (late November or very early December) to ensure they arrive before the holiday rush.23

• Salutation: A safe and respectful opening for any monarch is "Your Majesty" (or "Your Royal Highness" for Princes/Grand Dukes).24

• Language: Most European royal households have staff who read English perfectly well, so writing in English is acceptable. However, writing a simple "Merry Christmas" in their native language (e.g., Joyeux Noël for Belgium/Monaco, God Jul for Scandinavia) is a nice touch.

• Postage: You do not need to include return postage (stamps or envelopes). If they reply, they will cover the postage themselves

Postcrossers Diary - 21

 The official postal addresses from around the world to send Christmas wishes to Santa Claus (or Father Christmas). Many of these postal services have specific "Santa" departments that reply to letters, provided they are sent early enough (usually by early December) and include a return address on the envelope.

1. Canada 🇨🇦

This is one of the most famous addresses because the postal code spells "Ho Ho Ho."

Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0, Canada

2. United States 🇺🇸

The USPS "Operation Santa" address.

Santa Claus, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888, USA

3. United Kingdom 🇬🇧

The Royal Mail address for Father Christmas.

Santa / Father Christmas, Santa's Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ, United Kingdom

4. Finland 🇫🇮

Finland is often considered the "real" home of Santa Claus.

Santa Claus, Santa Claus’ Main Post Office, Tähtikuja 1, 96930 Arctic Circle, Finland

5. Australia 🇦🇺

Santa, North Pole 9999, Australia

6. New Zealand 🇳🇿

Santa Claus, c/o Santa's Workshop, North Pole 0001, New Zealand

7. Germany 🇩🇪

Germany has several, but the most famous is in Himmelpfort (Heaven's Gate).

An den Weihnachtsmann, Weihnachtspostfiliale, 16798 Himmelpfort, Germany

8. France 🇫🇷

La Poste opens a special service in Libourne to handle letters to Père Noël.

Père Noël, 33500 Libourne, France

9. Austria 🇦🇹

Letters here go to the "Christkindl" (Christ Child) Post Office.

Postamt Christkindl, Christkindlweg 6, 4411 Christkindl, Austria

10. Ireland 🇮🇪

An Post has a dedicated team for these letters.

Santa Claus, The North Pole, Ireland

📮 Important Tips for Success

Include a Return Address: Santa cannot write back if he doesn't know where you live! Make sure your full name and address are clearly written on the back of the envelope and inside the letter.

International Postage: If you are mailing a letter to a different country (e.g., from the US to Finland), you must use international postage stamps.

Send Early: Most postal services recommend sending letters by December 6th–10th to ensure a reply arrives before Christmas.

Postcrossing Diary - 20

 

A Radio Postcard Journey - 70

A radio related postcard featuring the beloved Peanuts characters has surfaced, showcasing a whimsical moment from Charles M. Schulz's iconic comic strip. The image captures Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, and other familiar faces seemingly intrigued by a radio box.

In the scene, the characters appear to be observing something emanating from the radio, with yellow birds depicted flying away from it, as also noticed by Woodstock. This playful depiction aligns with the heartwarming and imaginative spirit of the Peanuts series, known for its simple yet profound explorations of childhood experiences.

The Peanuts, created by Charles M. Schulz, has touched generations with its endearing characters and relatable narratives about everyday life. This postcard offers a charming glimpse into the Peanuts' world, reminding us of the simple joys and curiosities often found within it.

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A Radio Postcard Journey - 69

This radio postcard sent by Naren from Sholingur has brought a classic piece of audio technology back into the spotlight: the Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. Radio Cassette Recorder M2402-4F. Manufactured in 1980 at their Moriguchi (Osaka) facility, this iconic device was designed to tune into AM, FM, and LW bands, offering a comprehensive listening experience for its era.

The postcard, featuring an image reminiscent of the retro 80s boombox aesthetic, serves as a charming reminder of a time when portable music was defined by these versatile machines. The M2402-4F model, known for its ability to combine radio reception with cassette playback and recording, was a staple in many households, providing entertainment and news on the go.

Naren's choice to highlight this particular model underscores its enduring appeal and the nostalgic value it holds for many.

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A Radio Postcard Journey - 68

A new radio related postcard featuring the signature humor of German cartoonist Ralph Ruthe is making waves, playfully highlighting a common workplace dilemma. The cartoon depicts two colleagues, one blissfully tuning into a radio while the other throws a pointed glare, accompanied by the speech bubble translating to, "Listening to the radio at work? I can't concentrate."

Ruthe, known for his witty and often satirical observations on everyday life, has once again captured a relatable scenario with his distinct artistic style. The simple yet effective imagery and text resonate with anyone who has experienced the distraction of a colleague's preferred audio entertainment.

This postcard serves as a lighthearted commentary on workplace etiquette and the delicate balance between personal preferences and shared environments. Fans of Ruthe's work and those who have ever been on either side of this radio debate are sure to find amusement in this latest offering.

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A Radio Postcard Journey - 67

This radio related postcard celebrating Reggae music and featuring a classic Jamaican cassette radio has made its way across the globe through the Postcrossing. The "Reggae Music Lover Colorful Jamaica Cassette Radio Postcard," created by Creative Designer Shop on Zazzle, was recently sent by a user named Jay from the USA. 

This two-in-one radio design, blending the love of reggae with a nostalgic image of a tape recorder & radio, highlights the diverse and creative exchanges fostered by the international postcard swapping initiative.

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