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A 12 year old Bideford girl who shares a love of horses with Princess Anne sent the Princess a birthday card

25.8.1972 Karen Hodgins

and has been thrilled to get a reply from Buckingham Palace.

Karen Hodgins, daughter of Mr and Mrs E Dawe, of 18 Sentry Corner, sent the postcard entirely on her own initiative. A pupil at Bideford County Secondary School, her health has not been good lately, a situation not helped by the loss of her pony, and she is receiving medical treatment.

A reply from the Princess, signed by a Lady-in-Waiting, thanks her for her kind message, and adds “Her Royal Highness was most touched by your thought for her and I am to tell you how much she appreciates this.”

Gazette article dated 25 August 1972

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