It was a few days after Christmas when Kentucky mother Katelyn Sutherland noticed an unusual piece of post in her mailbox: a letter from Windsor Castle in England.
The letter was addressed to her 2-year-old daughter, Jalayne, who had dressed up as Queen Elizabeth II – a resident of the castle – for Halloween, according to CNN.
“It was mixed in with our other mail,” Katelyn said of finding the letter with a royal stamp on Dec. 27. “I had to calm myself down and make sure not to rip the envelope.”
Back in October, the family decided to dress up Jalayne as the Elizabeth with some help from their corgis, Rascal and Jack. According to Marie Claire, the Queen has owned at least 30 corgis.
“When you think of corgis you most certainly think of the Queen,” Katelyn said.
Jalayne’s bond with her family’s pups inspired the costume, said her mother.
“Ever since Jalayne was born the two corgis have been best friends with her,” Katelyn said, “Especially since she started eating and sneaking them food, they loved her even more.”
In addition to her pets, Jalayne’s outfit included a light blue jacket and hat in the signature style of the British monarch as well as a white wig and pearls.
Katelyn posted photos of the costume on Facebook and friends encouraged her to share them with the Queen herself.
So, she eventually decided to print out the picture and send it in a letter from Florence, Ky., in November.
As she sent it, Katleyn wasn’t sure the Queen would even see the photo. However, she heard the Queen wasn’t feeling well and thought it might be a nice way to cheer her up.
“Her Majesty thought it kind of you to write to her, and The Queen was pleased to see the photograph of your daughter, Jalayne, in her splendid outfit,” read the letter from Windsor Palace. It was signed by the lady-in-waiting, Mary Morrison.
When Katelyn finished reading, she put Jalayne in the hat she wore for the costume and they danced around the kitchen in excitement.
Now, the Sutherland family plans to frame the letter and put it on display in their living room.
"I'm never going to be able to top this!" Katelyn said of her plans for next Halloween.
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