Pupils at a primary school were more excited than most when they arrived at their first day back at school to discover they had been sent a letter from the King.

The youngsters from St Andrew’s School in Watts Avenue, Rochester, received the royal correspondence in response to letters last year’s Year 2 pupils had sent to the monarch.

To mark his coronation in May, they wrote thanking him for all that he does and wished him a lovely day.

The letters were then posted to Buckingham Palace.

In their first week back to school pupils they were thrilled to open a special letter from the Head of Royal Correspondence, on behalf of the King.

The letter thanked them for their cards and kind wishes.

They also received a signed thank you card from King Charles and Queen Camilla, who are today honouring the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Principal of St Andrew’s School, Emma Steinmann-Gilbert, said: “The coronation was a truly special time for us all and St Andrew’s celebrated with a variety of activities and a themed lunch.

“The children worked hard on their letters and it is lovely to know that they raised a smile on the King and Queen.”