The gift is something of a coup for Harry Taylor

Harry Taylor, 13, from Weston on Avon in Warwickshire was stunned to get a letter back granting his wish.

Harry has recently taken delivery of the bird - named Prince Harry - whose last home was the Queen's private Sandringham estate.

The schoolboy, who began keeping pigeons last summer after a stray landed in the garden of his home, said he received a speedy reply to his unusual request.

He's quite hard to catch - he flies around a lot Harry Taylor

"I wrote to the Queen and that was passed on to the manager of Sandringham estate where the pigeon loft is based and a couple of weeks later they replied saying I could have a pair of pigeons.

"Then a couple of weeks after that we got the first one.

"Prince Harry, he's alright, but he's quite hard to catch though - he flies around a lot," the teenager added.

Harry is soon to take delivery of the second pigeon he has been promised.