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Back in May, nursery children in Llanbradach wrote to Queen Elizabeth II to congratulate her ahead of the platinum jubilee. But the day after the children received the letter, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch died.

After the letters were written, the children walked to the post box with staff to send them off – but not many of them ever expected to receive a reply.

Lucy Rowles, director of Footstepd Day Nursery, said: “The children and staff didn’t think they’d receive a reply, so receiving a letter now has been a big surprise to everyone. It has given the children a sense of purpose to what they do and is also helping them to develop a connection with the Royal Family.

“The letter was signed by the Queen’s Lady in Waiting, Elizabeth Leeming, and although receiving a letter from the Queen would always be a special thing to happen, it is even more poignant and significant at this time.”

“When the letter arrived, the children and staff couldn’t believe it. They felt very honoured that out of all the letters the Queen would have received, and potentially had not replied to yet, they had got a reply from Balmoral from the Lady in Waiting.”

The letter said: “The Queen wishes me to write and thank you for the splendid letters and pictures which you sent to Her Majesty on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee.

“The Queen was glad to hear from you and, although unable to reply to you personally, Her Majesty was pleased to hear of the party you were planning to celebrate this special event.

“Please accept my apologies for the delay in response; as I am sure you will understand, The Queen has received a large volume of post in recent months and as a result, it has not been possible to reply to you until now.”

The letter continued: “Nevertheless, Her Majesty hopes you all had a very happy time at the festivities, and I am to thank you again for your messages of good wishes to The Queen in this, her Platinum Jubilee year.”

Ms Rowles said: “We thought it was a really fitting time to receive this. Here at Footsteps, we can now have a happy and personal memory of Queen Elizabeth II in what is a sad time and a time of mourning.

“Receiving this letter is something we will cherish all the more now and is a lovely memory for us all to have.”