Royal pen pals! Kate Middleton and Prince William send letter about peace to seven-year-old boy called Harry who wrote to them sharing his concerns about mental health amid Covid-19 pandemic
- Harry Rudden-Vine, 7, wrote to Kate and William about ‘peace garden’ at school
- Said were ‘immensely touched’ after letter and concerns about mental health
- Year 2 pupil from Kent was left speechless when he got response from palace
Prince William and Kate Middleton have sent a letter about peace to Harry – a seven-year-old boy.
The Duke, 38, and Duchess of Cambridge, 39, sent a note to Harry Rudden-Vine after he wrote to them about a ‘peace garden’ to support mental wellbeing at his school.
They said they were ‘immensely touched’ after his letter and his concerns about mental health during the pandemic.
The Year 2 pupil from Kent was left speechless when he got a response from Kensington Palace praising him for his letter.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sent a note to Harry Rudden-Vine (pictured), seven, from Kent, after he wrote to them about a ‘peace garden’ to support mental wellbeing at his school
He wrote: ‘I am at the moment like most children having to do my school work from home which is challenging for most children.
‘Mummy works in the NHS so at the moment my dad is my teacher – boy that can be challenging for both dad and me!
‘I really wanted to tell you about my school’s new peace garden in Shorne, Kent. It is so beautiful and us kids can go there and collect our thoughts which is great as it helps us to think and helps us if we are worried.’
Harry’s mother Clair Rudden-Vine, said: ‘Harry was amazed when he received a letter back from Kensington Palace, thanking him for telling them about this special and helpful project.
The Year 2 pupil was left speechless when he got a response from Kensington Palace praising him for his letter, as Prince William and Kate Middleton said they were ‘immensely touched’ after his letter and his concerns about mental health during the pandemic
‘He wasn’t expecting an answer and was thrilled when the letter turned up, he thought how lovely they both were to even consider spending the time to ensure a letter got back to him.
‘The head [Tara Hewit] had allowed the children to be involved in designing and bringing in things for the garden and the children really enjoyed it.
‘It’s been something every child can get involved with and gain something from their time at the school. The school have worked so hard to consider all the children’s needs.
‘It speaks volumes about the kind of school it is and how thoughtful the teaching staff are.’
Harry described his surprise upon opening the letter and thought how kind it was of the Duke and Duchess to reply to him, ‘an ordinary schoolboy.’
Harry described his surprise upon opening the letter and thought how kind it was of the Duke and Duchess to reply to him, ‘an ordinary schoolboy’
Written on behalf of the Royal Highnesses by Claudia Spens, head of general correspondence for the couple, the letter read: ‘Their Royal Highnesses are most grateful to you for taking the trouble to write as you did, about being home-schooled during the coronavirus pandemic, and they thank you for sharing your feelings with them.
‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were very interested to hear about your school’s Peace Garden, and how helpful it has been for the mental health and wellbeing of you and the other school children.
‘Their Royal Highnesses are committed champions of issues related to children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing and they were heartened to hear that you, too, care passionately about the importance of good mental health.
‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were immensely touched that you should take the trouble to write as you did.
‘It really was most thoughtful of you and Their Royal Highnesses have asked me to send you their warmest thanks and best wishes.’