A 35-YEAR-OLD was 'humbled' to receive a letter from Buckingham Palace after penning a letter to the Queen about her first Christmas without Prince Philip.

Ceara Fisher, who lives in Eskdale, sent a Christmas card to the Queen in December, wishing her well through the 'difficult' festive period after the death of her late husband Prince Philip last April.

However, Mrs Fisher, who works as head of admissions at St Bee’s School, never anticipated to receive a reply from Buckingham Palace - which came in the post earlier this week.

She said: "I sent the Queen a card at Christmas to say that I was thinking of her during this difficult time as Christmas without a loved one, especially in the first year, can be really hard.

"I told her she was, and is, an incredible inspiration to us all and even though she might feel alone, she never is.

"Philip would be with her in spirit, as is her entire nation.

"I didn’t ever expect a reply so feel incredibly humbled and touched.

"She is a remarkable lady and a testament to true British stoicism, pride and sense of family."

The letter, penned by the Queen's Lady-In-Waiting, Jennifer Gordon Lennox, reads: "The Queen wishes me to thank you for the message you sent for Christmas and the New Year, which is greatly appreciated.

"Her Majesty has been most grateful for the particular kindness and support shown to her over the last year and I am to thank you very much for your thoughtfulness in writing at this time.

"Yours, Jennifer Gordon Lennox (Lady-In-Waiting)."

The Duke of Edinburgh was the longest-serving consort in British history after marrying Queen Elizabeth II in July 1947.

Together for more than 70 years, the Duke of Edinburgh lived through the ups and down of the monarch’s life and reign with the Queen, before his sad death in April last year.