Queen Elizabeth II formed a beautiful friendship with a woman she never met after the pair bonded over something they had in common.

The Queen shared a birthday with Adele Hankey and the monarch, who was today laid to rest after her death aged 96, exchanged letters with her American friend every year.

In a chat with US television station KFYR. Adele spoke of how she will miss corresponding with her friend.

She said: "Oh absolutely. You miss your pen pals."

Adele sent her first letter to the Queen when she was crowned in 1953 – and said she "jumped out of my shoes" when she received a birthday card in reply.

For the past 70 years, Adele has then reached out on their shared birthday, 21 April.

Adele recalled how in one letter she once cheekily asked the Queen "for a hat", but instead was sent a lovely picture.

Admitting that she couldn't count the amount of letters that were sent back and forth over the years, Adele also revealed other things she and the late monarch had in common.

Adele, a cookbook author, noted: "The recipes the queen liked were with marmalade. And so do I. How about that?"

Queen Elizabeth was the longest-reigning monarch in English history and in the 10 days since her death, thousands of mourners around the world have paid tribute with flowers and moving words of condolence.

The Queen's death follows that of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, who died at age 99 in April 2021. Upon her passing, she was succeeded immediately by her eldest son, King Charles III, 73.

On Monday morning, more than 2,000 people from around the world gathered at Westminster Abbey for the Queen's funeral, before she took her final journey to Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel.

Members of the Royal family were joined at the service by political leaders such as US President Joe Biden and other monarchs from around the world.

After the ceremony, the Queen's coffin was taken to Windsor where a committal service took place.

The Queen's burial will happen behind closed doors on Monday night, with just close family in attendance for the private and intimate ceremony.

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