Princess Kate and King Charles received 27,000 messages and cards after cancer announcements

As part of an in-depth annual report released by the palace on the Sovereign Grant - the money paid to the Royal Family by the British government - official figures on correspondence have been made public.

The report said that between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, Charles and Kate received no fewer than 27,620 "items containing well wishes" following their health announcements.

In total, the Royal Household received a staggering 138,303 messages, letters and more over the financial year - and alongside the thousands of health well-wishes, some 31,311 items were devoted to the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The palace was keen to highlight the importance of maintaining open correspondence with the public.

In the report, it talked up how "anyone in the world" has the opportunity to contact the King - adding that the "correspondence received enables the Royal Family to engage directly with people from across the globe".

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace published figures on applications to the Anniversaries Office - where the monarch sends cards of congratulation to members of the public celebrating notable anniversaries, a tradition dating back to 1917.

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Buckingham Palace details that cards are sent to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter, and to those celebrating their diamond wedding (60th), 65th, 70th wedding anniversaries and every year thereafter.

And the Sovereign Grant report says doing this lets the King "recognise and celebrate milestones with members of the public, bringing the monarchy into direct contact with those they serve".

While the anniversary messages are limited to citizens of countries or territories where the King is the head of state - including Canada, Australia and New Zealand - they have their own dedicated team at the Department for Work and Pensions, which notifies the Anniversaries Office of upcoming birthdays to ensure everyone receives a message.

Alongside the strengthening in ties between the palace and the public in the wake of the King and Princess of Wales's diagnoses, the pair's health announcements have also brought Charles and Prince William closer together.

A friend of the royals has claimed that William and his father have grown closer over the last six months, telling the Mail: "They don't talk about the past, and Charles feels lucky that the two of them can talk about 'the job'.

"The illnesses have increased the bond between them, but there is also greater tolerance between the two men."

But throughout that time, and despite the King's health, Prince Harry and Prince William's relationship is irreparable, with another source telling the paper: "Whatever might happen in the future, the trust that was implicit in his relationship with Harry is gone for good.

"Even if it is possible that some kind of ­managed reconciliation could be achieved, it will be never anything more than superficial."