Kayla's Royal Letter

A few weeks before the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, nine year old Kayla Cross, a third grade student at Woodland learned from her art teacher, Marianne Ashurst, that there was an impending Royal wedding. Kayla has been an excellent art student and was already designing dresses on her own. Later, Kayla showed Ms. Ashurst her version of a royal wedding dress design. Impressed, Ms. Ashurst inquired of Kayla if she might send the drawing to the Royal couple. Kayla agreed.

Just before the school’s Spring break, the school secretary, Debbie Rouse, excitedly approached Ms. Ashurst and presented her with an envelope. The students had already gone home for the day. The envelope was addressed to Kayla in care of Woodland Academy. It was postmarked “Buckingham Palace, Royal Mail.” The envelope, unopened, was passed around the inquisitive teachers and staff still at the school as Ms. Ashurst explained what had transpired. As the letter was addressed to Kayla, a week would pass before everyone would return to classes and Kayla could open the envelope and read what the letter had to say.

Finally, with school in session once again, a surprised Kayla was presented with the letter and asked if she wanted to read it to everyone. A thrilled Kayla nervously opened the envelope and extracted the stiff formal stationary, unfolded it and read it carefully to the students and staff gathered around her.

The letter, marked, “Private and Confidential” read, in part, “His Royal Highness and Miss Middleton have been overwhelmed by the incredibly kind messages they have received in connection with their forthcoming Wedding, and were delighted that you should take the trouble to draw such a pretty picture of Miss Middleton as you did. It was greatly appreciated and Prince William and Miss Middleton have asked me to send you their warmest thanks and best wishes.” It was signed by a Mrs. Claudia Holloway, no doubt a palace secretary.

There is little reservation in anyone’s mind at Woodland Academy that Miss Kayla Cross has become a royal watcher and has produced the memory of a lifetime. 

 Breathless Anticipation!

"My Fellow Students..."

Good Memories, Kayla!