CHEEKY chap John McCarten, of Willcocks Close, Wellington, has received best wishes from the Queen for the Wellington Monument restoration project.

He sent a Wellington Monument Christmas card, produced last year to raise funds for the restoration, to Buckingham Palace and asked the Queen if she could assist with the project.

He added: “I’m known as quite cheeky, so perhaps if you couldn’t make it, Harry and Meghan could pop down for an hour.”

He also mentioned Rosey Caley, who designed the card, and Emma Jones, community and engagement officer for the National Trust.

He received a reply from Jennie Vine, deputy correspondence co-ordinator at Buckingham Palace, on June 4.

It said: “The Queen has asked me to thank you for your letter and message of good wishes, and I am sorry that it has not been possible to reply to you before now.

“It was thoughtful of you to wish to tell Her Majesty of your involvement, along with Rosey Caley and Emma Jones, in the Wellington Monument project which is intended to raise greater awareness of this commemorative monument to the Duke of Wellington and to provide facilities for visitors.

“Although this is not a matter in which The Queen would become involved, I would like to send you and everyone involved in the project my good wishes at this time.”