Primary schoolchildren were delighted when a message sent to Prince Harry - complete with children's character Flat Stanley - had a touching response.

Year 2 pupils at Leybourne School in West Malling contacted the man of the moment, sending him a cut-out of the favourite book character.

They were shocked last week when the Prince's office responded, with a personal message.

The exchange has been revealed just hours after Prince Harry announced his engagement to Suits actress Meghan Markle.

The youngsters had sent him a paper cut-out of the children’s character.

Their Twitter account says they are sending the cut-out around the world "to see what amazing places he will end up in".

Flat Stanley is a fictional boy who ends up just an inch thick when a bulletin board falls on him.

Kensington Palace said in a headed letter that "His Royal Highness has taken care of Flat Stanley and has now asked me to return him to you."

The letter, dated last Wednesday, said: “Prince Harry was immensely touched that you should take the trouble to write as you did.

“His Royal Highness has asked me to send you all his warmest thanks and best wishes.”

The letter revealed that Stanley had visited Kensington Palace and met the Duke of Cambridge, his children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and the family dog, Lupo.

The school responded in a tweet yesterday: “Warmest thank you to Prince Harry for this amazing letter. Love Year Two at Leybourne School.”

But Stanley's travels are not limited to Kensington Palace.

He has been sent out on tour as part of the pupils' studies of the book.

He has been photographed visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Leicester, and has "met" the actor Sir Michael Gambon, who was Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films and lives in the Gravesend area.

He has also met former prima ballerina Darcey Bussell.

Flat Stanley is an American children’s story by Jeff Brown. The original story was published in 1964.

The tale has delighted generations of youngsters since, with follow-up stories being written.