A woman got the surprise of her life when Prince Harry responded to her invitation to attend an awards ceremony with her.
Sue Reinhardt and her colleagues at independent record label Eleven Seven Music were debating who they should invite to the Kerrang! Awards when they thought it would be "a bit of a joke" to ask the 31-year-old royal to be her plus one.
Describing how it came about, she told the Daily Star newspaper: "I was thinking about celebrities who like rock music and Prince Harry sprung to mind … Admittedly I wrote the letter as a bit of a joke and was surprised when I got a reply. Perhaps I’ll ask him again next year and see if he can make it!"
The letter, dated May 17, reads: "Prince Harry has asked me to write and thank you very much for your letter of 6th May, in which you invite His Royal Highness to The Kerrang! Awards at The Troxy, London on 9th June.
"The Prince was extremely grateful for your kind invitation. Having given careful consideration to the possibilities, however, I very much regret that His Royal Highness reluctantly feels he has to decline. Prince Harry is focussing on his commitments in support of the charities with which he is already associated, and feels unable to take on anything further at this time.
"I am sorry to have to send you this necessarily disappointing response but do hope you understand. His Royal Highness would have me send you his best wishes and thanks for thinking of him on this occasion."