October 10, 2023
Recreation therapy assistant Lekshmi Rajendrakurup, left, resident Phyllis Peters and recreation therapist Geralda Van Der Meijden donned their shiniest crowns for a special Coronation Tea at Mackenzie Place earlier this year. Photo by Geralda Van Der Meijden.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla sent this special thank-you card to the residents and staff of Mackenzie Place in Grande Prairie. Photo by Geralda Van Der Meijden.
Story by Lisa Laferriere | Photos by Geralda Van Der Meijden
GRANDE PRAIRIE — In an inspiring and touching gesture, residents living at Mackenzie Place have received a heartfelt thank-you letter from the King and Queen, leaving the community abuzz with admiration and pride.
The recipients of the continuing care facility received this royal correspondence as a token of appreciation for hosting a formal Coronation Tea in honour of King Charles III’s ascension to the throne. The event was held at Mackenzie Place on May 5 for residents, family and staff, and was led by the local AHS Recreation Team.
The letter, adorned with the royal seal, arrived in a regal envelope on Sept. 5. Inside, a personalized note from the King and Queen expressed their gratitude to all for hosting the thoughtful event — and for taking the time to share pictures of it.
Geralda Van Der Meijden, recreation therapist, says the Coronation Tea proved such a success that she decided to send a letter about it, along with photos, to Buckingham Palace.
“I wrote a letter to the King and Queen on behalf of our residents and staff and mailed it to Buckingham Palace,” she says. “We were thrilled when we received a thank-you card back!”
News of the royal reply spread quickly throughout the facility, sparking conversations and brightening spirits.
Phyllis Peters, a resident who helped plan the celebratory tea, felt deeply touched by the regal correspondence.
“I would like to thank King Charles and Queen Camilla for the lovely thank-you card that they signed personally,” says Peters. “That was a lovely surprise, I never expected that. The card will be a memorable keepsake!”
The AHS Recreation Team made copies of the letter as a souvenir for each resident. An enlarged copy will soon be put on display in a more permanent location.
For the event, Mackenzie Place residents created special coronation buntings and cupcake toppers. Display tables with photos of the Royal Family were set up in the 1 East and 2 East units of the facility as a photo backdrop for residents and their families. ‘Gemstone’ encrusted crowns were also available for attendees, crafted by resident Phyllis Peters.
Everyone enjoyed the tea and cupcakes, as they sang rousing renditions of God Save the King and O Canada. In all, about 40 attended, including staff, volunteers, residents and their loved ones.
Some remarked how a letter from Buckingham Palace serves as a reminder that gestures of thoughtfulness and kindness make a difference in people’s lives and, sometimes, can even make them feel like royalty.
