Royal fan of Crown Princess Mary receives strange reply to birthday card

A royal fan who sent a birthday card to Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has shared a surprising note she received in return.

Katherine, who lives in Germany, sent he card to the Crown Princess on 5 February for her 48th birthday.

In response she received a note saying: "Her Royal Highness does not comply with requests for autographs or photos on grounds of principle."

Katherine shared the note on her account @katsroyalletters with the comment: "Strange reply from the Danish royal family. Didn't ask for an autograph or a picture.

"I sent a card on the occasion of the birthday of Crown Princess Mary and got this back,' she explained.

"Didn't ask for an autograph or a picture (I never do except for the one time I wrote a letter to Sarah, Duchess of York). Weird...."

The letter, which was sent from the Amalienborg palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, read: "Thank you for the interest your letter to Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess.

"However, Her Royal Highness does not comply with requests for autographs or photos on grounds of principle."

Perhaps the "principle' mentioned is designed to separate the royals from celebrities.

Maybe the note was sent by mistake.

Regardless, Katherine remains a royal fan despite the miscommunication and will continue to send her cards on special occasions.

Crown Princess Mary marked her birthday with the release of a new portrait of her in a navy blue wrap dress by Issa London, very similar to the one worn by Kate Middleton for her engagement photos.

RELATED: Crown Princess Mary celebrates her 48th birthday

The portrait, which also showed the royal sporting aquamarine diamond drop earrings and an Orit Elhanati necklace, was taken by Copenhagen-based photographer Daniel Stjerne.

The stunning image was later shared on the palace's Instagram page with the caption: "Her Royal Majesty the Crown Princess has a birthday and turns today 48 years old."

She was later seen with her children - Prince Christian, 14, Princess Isabella, 12, Prince Vincent, nine, and Princess Josephine - as well as her husband Crowm Prince Frederik and friends.