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Thu, May 31, 2007

Balloon Flight Earns Child A Royal Penpal

Queen Of England Replies To Youth's Message

Kids releasing balloons can be really dangerous for aviation, but it's hard to contain the imaginations of kids who release them, wondering where they'll travel.

The Daily Mail reports that four-year-old Tom Stancombe of the UK set free a helium balloon with a letter attached from a location west of London, hoping it would result in a pen pal in a far-away land.

In traveled only about 20 miles, but it did get him a new pen pal -- Queen Elizabeth II.

After the balloon landed on the grounds of Windsor Castle, the Queen instructed an assistant to write to young Tommy. In a series of letters which followed, the two discussed subjects including one of Tommy's ancestors, an artist with works in the royal collection.

Asked if he expects the letters to continue, Tommy's dad told the Mail, "no," but "I think it's incredible they bothered replying at all."

FMI: www.royal.gov.uk

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