Mrs Locke sent some photos of herself presenting a bouquet to the Duchess of Cornwall and was over the moon when she received a reply thanking her.

The 64-year-old and her partner Arthur Pell braved terrible weather to watch members of the Royal Family arrive for a church service at Sandringham on Christmas Day.

Mrs Locke was lucky enough to speak to Camilla and present her with some chocolates and a bouquet.

The letter bearing the prestigious postmark arrived on Saturday morning and prompted impressed comments from her postman.

Retired bakery manager Mrs Locke, of Main Road, said: "It's wonderful. We have been going to Sandringham on Christmas morning for the last 12 to 14 years just for the atmosphere. It's lovely.

"The Queen doesn't accept flowers from adults but Camilla came straight over and I gave her a bouquet and some chocolates for Prince Charles.

"She said 'they're lovely, are they for me?'

"I sent her the pictures Arthur took, including one of the flowers and this letter arrived on Saturday.

"She has hand-written my name and signed it.

"It's lovely that she has taken the time to do it."

The bouquet Mrs Locke presented was made for her free of charge by staff at Intergreen, where her daughter works, and the chocolates came from Folkingham.

Mrs Locke, whose favourite member of the Royal Family is the Queen, plans to frame the letter and display it in her home.