POET Timon Singh has been given the royal seal of approval - direct from the pen of the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Oxford wordsmith sent a verse congratulating Prince Philip and the Queen when they celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary last year.
Mr Singh, 38, of Edith Road, posted off the poem to the royal couple as a way of expressing his admiration for their half-century achievement, which they celebrated in November.
Now he has received an official reply from a lady-in-waiting at Buckingham Palace, thanking him for his efforts.
But unusually, the letter ends with a handwritten PS from the Duke, reading simply "Thank-you for writing the poem." and signed "Philip".
Mr Singh and his wife, Noreen, 38, have three children. He has written songs and poems in honour of people and events before, but has never previously thought to send them to the people they are about. This time however, his family urged him to post it to the Palace and he was delighted when the reply came.
He said: "It was a pleasant surprise and I was thrilled because it's not every day you get something from Buckingham Palace.
"They must have received loads of things from many many people and the reply actually had a PS in Prince Philip's handwriting, which shows he saw it and decided to add to the reply himself."
Mr Singh added: "Things like this just come to you when you sit down and start writing.
"I thought it was an appropriate way to wish them good health and prosperity in the future.
"I think they're an example for others because we are looking at a situation where two out of three marriages don't last.
"We should look up to them." Timon's verse:
"To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip On Their Golden Wedding Anniversary"
How wonderful is the gift of life
In which we share, struggles and strife
How wonderful it is to be together
In the company of your love forever
The golden years which we remember
So magnificent, full of splendour
Moments that have gone with time
They are still living in this rhyme
We may not see the past so clear
But in our hearts it does appear
Sometimes faintly, like a glimmer in the dark
And seldom so bright like a covenant of ark
Memories are kept like a photo framed
Or walking together by the banks of the Thames
Holding hands, expressing you care
Conversing with eyes, of love you share
For our nation the both of you
Are an example of alove that's true
And with time which does not fade
But becomes more radiant in the shade
May your golden wedding anniversary
Bring more joy to your family
May the Lord grant you love
And open the windoiws of heaven above
Blessings of the three in one
The Holy Spirit, the Father, Son
Be on your household night and day
In the name of Jesus I pray
Previous news story
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article