A local bike shop, Mad Dogs and Englishman Bike Shop, was taken aback when a letter arrived, bearing a rather forced expression of gratitude from the Sussexes for their gift.
While the business owner has refrained from making an official statement regarding the possibility of an employee sending a bicycle to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s child, the shop seems pleased with the unexpected attention thrust upon them by this incident.
The surprise unfolded as a courier made a delivery to the cozy shop on Coast Village Road, leaving behind a letter that recounted a thank you note purportedly sent by Meghan and Harry.
Recalling the moment, the shop owner humorously remarked, “I was joking that it better be a thank you letter, and lo and behold, it truly was,” highlighting the unexpected nature of the correspondence.
Shared on the bike shop’s Instagram account, the letter, penned by Harrison Colcord from the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Duke and Duchess for the thoughtful gift sent to Prince Archie on his fourth birthday.
However, the letter’s repetitive mention of the royal couple’s names raised eyebrows, with the writer questioning the lack of official protocol and refinement in its composition.
The seemingly impersonal nature of the thank you note, signed by a sales and marketing director from San Ysidro Ranch, further fueled speculation and criticism.
The absence of signatures from Meghan and Harry, coupled with the erroneous assumption of the sender’s affiliation with San Ysidro, hinted at a potential misstep that inadvertently exposed cracks in the facade of the Sussexes’ Montecito residence.
Harrison Colcord, currently serving as the director of sales and marketing at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California, boasts a diverse career trajectory that spans the realms of hospitality and fashion.
Beginning his professional journey at Isola Lodge at Linville Golf Resort, Harrison transitioned into the world of fashion in New York City before eventually returning to the allure of Santa Barbara’s hospitality scene.
Enchanted by the charm of the American Riviera, Harrison traded the glitz of Parisian runway shows for the allure of glamorous weddings and Hollywood’s elite, marking a shift from the fashion industry to the realm of luxury hospitality.
His inadvertent association with the Sussexes’ thank you letter inadvertently shed light on the intricacies of etiquette and communication within royal circles, prompting discussions on propriety and protocol in such interactions.