PUPILS at Marwood Church of England School, Great Ayton, received a very special letter from Kensington Palace.

Following the death of Prince Philip, the children wanted to write personal letters to the children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte. Some of the children have experienced loss and the feelings of grief through the deaths of their own grandparents, and it was an opportunity they wanted to take, and an opportunity for discussions with their teachers on this sensitive topic.

All the children in the school from reception to year two, wrote their own heartfelt letters.

Headteacher, Dorothy Walton enclosed her own letter, which accompanied all the children's messages, along with a copy of the book, Grandad's Island by Benji Davies, which is used by the school to support children who are dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Mrs Walton said: "I am very proud of our children’s actions. The letters written were very personal and supportive, as a number of our children have also experienced loss of a loved one. Children often handle grief in a different way to adults and we use a range of books as a stimulus to talk about feelings. Grandad’s Island was particularly pertinent for the Royal children as the story is about a Grandad who is also a sailor, just like Prince Philip. The children were thrilled to receive a response to their letters, written on behalf of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge."

She added: "This is a double celebration for Marwood Church of England School as they were also chosen by York Diocese to perform the Lord’s Prayer for the Church of England’s Pentecost Service which was led by the Archbishop of York and broadcast on Sunday, May 23."