French boy, seven, exchanges letters with the Queen

A French boy of seven who has been exchanging letters with the Queen told The Connexion about his love for England and how he hopes to visit soon.

Noé Patrel, from Normandy, made a buzz in French media after sharing news of his letter from the 95-year-old monarch with a local newspaper.

With help from his grandmother Sylvie Gentien, Noé had sent the Queen his condolences on the death of Prince Philip after feeling sad to see her sitting alone at the funeral.

He said he was “happy, happy, happy” to receive back a fancy card signed Elizabeth R, thanking him for his kind words.

Noé said he has now written back to his royal penpal to thank her in turn, including family photos.

His uncle is helping him get his first passport so they can visit England together.

Noé said he has been learning English since maternelle and likes to speak it with his mamie when he does his homework.

“I’m helping her learn it again,” he said. “My uncle used to work in a factory making airbags for the Queen’s cars and he told me about it all.

“I’ve liked it since then. I like the phone boxes and Big Ben. I would like to see the Queen and her castle, and the guards.”

He hopes to meet the Queen one day.

Mrs Gentien said: “Noé has two passions, England and football. In March, he lost his great-grandfather, then the Prince died, and that sparked it all off.”

She said Noé would love to hear from our readers, about England, the royal family, and their tips for what he should see if he visits (at his grandmother’s address: 1 rue des Pâtures, Les Fontainettes, 60650 Saint-Aubin-en-Bray).

"Even if people in England want to write to him, it would be great. He'll take the letters into school. His teacher is proud of him.”

They are also keen to hear from a woman who wrote to Noé via the mairie signing herself only ‘Granny’, to tell him how much his thoughtfulness had touched her, as a widow who knows what it feels like to be left alone.