The woman who made King Charles laugh with a funny card featuring a dog in a bag has revealed herself to be a monarchy-loving mother from Lancashire – she says she sent the card to give him a “much-needed boost”.
Lisa Moffat, 53, was stunned by videos and photos of the royal giggling at the “giant” £9.99 get well card she ordered from Moonpig, which featured a sad-looking dog, remarking: “At least you don't have to wear a 'cone'.”
The design, inspired by the dog character Dug from the Disney-Pixar film Up, was illustrated by Lisa Stalker of Yorkshire company Pigment; Ms Moffat said she chose the design because the royal had “a sense of humour”.
The mother-of-two from Preston – who has children Harry, 13, and Felicity, 11 – said: “I thought he needed a push and a laugh – he's got a sense of humor, he's quite a funny guy.”
She told Web she regularly sends cards to the royal family on important occasions such as coronations, birthdays and weddings – but until now she has never seen one in the hands of the intended recipient.
King Charles pictured with Lisa Moffat's giant Moonpig card – with his name at the top and a picture of a dog wailing: “At least you don't have to carry a cone!” below
Ms Moffat – pictured with husband Alex and children Harry, 13, and Felicity, 11 – said she couldn't believe the royal was so taken with her card
On Moonpig, orders were made for the card to be sent directly to King Charles at Buckingham Palace
Ms Moffat ordered the card shortly after receiving a card of her own from the King – thanking her for her Christmas greeting last year
His Majesty appeared in good spirits as he read the public's correspondence – including the outstanding choice of Ms Moffat
Ms Moffat ordered the huge card just days after receiving her own card from the King, thanking her for the message wishing him a Merry Christmas.
The huge card measures 205 x 290mm and is the largest size Moonpig offers – which will almost certainly ensure it stands out among well-wishers' submissions.
She used Moonpig's customization features to personalize the card: She wrote “King Charles” at the top and included a photo of her family so he could see what his well-wishers looked like.
But BSI auditor Ms Moffat was stunned to see images and videos of Charles delivering the get well message, surrounded by dozens of others, at Buckingham Palace after they were released by the palace on Friday evening.
Ms Moffat, who is married to husband Alex, said: “I was so surprised to see him wearing it – so shocked.”
“I ran to the kids and my husband and said, “Guess what’s on the news – King Charles is holding our card!”
“I put a picture of us in the middle of the card and wrote a message saying we are thinking of him, sending him lots of love and hoping he gets well really soon.”
“I was overwhelmed by how many people had sent cards. I could not believe it.
“I sent a huge copy, though.” I always send huge copies. “I have a friend in Norwich who says she always knows when my cards are coming.”
The card, one of more than 7,000 sent to the king since he announced his diagnosis earlier this month, is said to have “caused much royal hilarity”, according to aides.
A video shared on the royal family's social media channels showed huge Royal Mail bags full of cards being delivered and opened before being placed in one of the royal's daily red boxes.
Ms Moffat added that she had sent cards to the royal family for years – with Queen Elizabeth II, Princes William and Catherine, and Prince Harry and Meghan among the recipients of her postal messages.
“I always send them cards: Christmas cards – which he actually just replied to; When the Queen was still alive, I sent her cards for her anniversaries. We always celebrate royal events. I also sent Catherine a get well card.
“My mother and I are absolute royalists. I just think it’s important to celebrate them.”
Charles has retired from his frontline duties after being diagnosed with the disease, which was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The form of the cancer has not been determined, but aid workers say it is not prostate; The King continues to “carry out state business and official formalities as usual” while undergoing a treatment plan.
He decided to share his diagnosis “in the hope that it can contribute to the public's understanding of all cancer sufferers around the world,” the palace said.
Ms Moffat said: “It's terrible what Charles is going through – especially living in public when people normally go through it in private.”
And when asked what she would personally say to Charles if she could, she added: “We're all keeping our fingers crossed for you, wishing you all the best and hoping you get through the treatment you're going through well.”
Some correspondence moved Charles to tears. In the picture: The king holds a card in his hand that a well-wisher sent him
One message read: “Your Majesty King Charles III, we pray for a steady recovery.”
One person wrote: “I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well at the moment. I wish you a speedy recovery. 'Get well soon!'
In another letter, some advice was given to the king, including: “Never give up, be brave, don’t push your limits.”
Many of the messages included in the surprise delivery to Charles contained similar warm wishes.
One read: “I wanted to tell you that I am thinking of you as you face your own diagnosis and treatment and sending you prayers and well wishes for a speedy recovery.”
Another read: “Keep your head up, chest out, stay positive and don’t let yourself get down.”
A senior royal adviser said: “They were a source of frequent laughter and good humor.”
As always, Buckingham Palace will send a thank you reply if postal addresses have been provided in correspondence with Her Majesty.
Five days after announcing his diagnosis, the king sent a message of thanks to everyone who had sent him well wishes.
He said: “I would like to say a huge thank you for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received over the last few days.”
“As every cancer survivor knows, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.”
“It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped to promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations supporting cancer patients and their families in the UK and around the world. “
“My lifelong admiration for her tireless care and dedication is made all the greater by my own personal experience.”
The illustrator's delight at the “surreal” image of King enjoying her dog design
By Natasha Livingstone, Royal Correspondent
It was the card that cheered up the king with its irreverent humor and charming illustration.
But the royal seal of approval was a very welcome surprise for its founders, a small company called Pigment based in a converted stable block in Yorkshire.
None of his 45 staff were prepared for the excitement when Buckingham Palace released footage at 10pm on Friday of the opening letters King had sent from well-wishers following his cancer diagnosis.
In the pictures, His Majesty could be seen giggling at one particular card, which featured a dog wearing a veterinary collar and the cheeky words “At least you don't have to wear a cone!”
It was said by royal advisers to have “provoked much royal hilarity” and was featured on the front pages the following day – much to the delight of designer Lisa Stalker, who illustrated the cover.
Martin Powderly, creative director of greeting card agency Pigment, alongside managing director Lynsey Burbidge (centre) and co-founder Stephen Baker (right)
The Yorkshire offices of greeting card company Pigment, who created the motto “At least you don't have to carry a cone!” Map
“It's a bit surreal to be honest,” she told the Mail on Sunday, adding that her husband had bought several newspapers to “savor” the moment.
“I didn’t know about it until the pictures appeared on the news. Then tons of text messages started pouring in. I still get excited when I see my card designs in a store, so you can imagine I never expected this.'
Founded 25 years ago, Pigment is based in a studio in a cobbled stable block in the picturesque town of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, 225 miles from the gilded Belgian Suite at Buckingham Palace where the King opened the map.
The hand-drawn design was inspired by the Disney film “Up,” in which a cartoon golden retriever named “Dug” wears the “cone of shame.”
“I am very pleased that His Majesty liked it. “This card is designed to make people smile, and it definitely did,” Lisa said.
Pigment creative director Martin Powderly said the card was part of a collection sold by British online company Moonpig.
“Sending greeting cards is a wonderful tradition and it’s lovely that someone has personalized this for King Charles.”
“I had no idea he was going to get this card until my phone started pinging on Friday evening. It was a really pleasant surprise. “Hopefully King Charles’ health will improve quickly.”