King Charles got a Christmas wish from the coldest place on Earth — he responded

Christmas is around the corner, and almost everyone is expecting gifts from Santa Claus. However, not everyone gets to celebrate the holiday season with their friends and family, especially those working in remote areas, for instance, a British research station in Antarctica. Run by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the station is in Rothera, one of the most isolated places on Earth, according to a report by the BBC on December 14. To make its staff feel special, King Charles III became their Santa Claus, gifting them a Royal Mail post box.

It all began when Kirsten Shaw, a station support assistant who runs the British Antarctic Territory Post Office, requested an upgrade to their handmade, painted post box. While Antarctica is incredible, it's not easy to survive without interacting with friends and family. The research station is located 1,860 km south of the Falkland Islands, where the staff work for months at a stretch, and letters are the only means of communication. "Getting post is really special for the team at Rothera. If you're doing fieldwork for many months, the feeling of receiving a letter — an actual, tangible piece of paper with handwriting from friends and family — is such a lift. It's a wonderful way to connect people that goes beyond what an email or text message can do," Shaw told the BBC.

The royal family head, King Charles III, perhaps, realized the importance of letters for the staff at Rothera, and so he presented them with a valuable gift. Notably, the Royal Household collaborated with Royal Mail to deliver a post box, featuring  King Charles III’s cypher, to the research station. And it will be installed in the Discovery Building, a scientific support and operations hub.

The letters from the staff of Rothera follow a long journey before they reach their friends and family. It travels from Antarctica by ship or aircraft before it reaches the Falkland Islands. Next, it reaches the RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where letters enter the Royal Mail postal network for delivery. "Maintaining a postal service in the British Antarctic Territory is far more than a symbolic gesture. It reinforces Britain's presence and heritage in Antarctica and provides a vital link to the wider world," Jane Rumble, HM Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory, said. Writing letters has long been proven to be an effective tool to feel closer to your loved ones.

In fact, during the pandemic, when people could hardly reach their families, 45% of Brits said that receiving post helped them get through lockdown, according to charity Plan International UK. Moreover, the study found that letters helped people feel connected and significantly improved their mental health. One in ten respondents who regularly write letters find it therapeutic, the research found.

Meanwhile, netizens loved the royal family's gesture, and they praised King Charles for being so considerate towards the staff of the research station. For instance, @kreevesflux commented, "A postbox at Rothera is a great reminder that even in the most remote places, people are still connected to home. Huge respect to the teams working in such extreme conditions, and what a special way to recognize their dedication." Similarly, @latecia_thomas said, "What a thoughtful holiday touch, bringing a bit of home and Christmas cheer to the farthest reaches of the world." @livingwithlim wrote, "A heartwarming royal gesture brings a touch of home to scientists in Antarctica with an official postbox for their Christmas mail."

More on Scoop Upworthy

Family stunned to find a box full of old, wrapped Christmas presents in late grandparents' attic

Little girl gets emotional after realizing she got the simple holiday gift that she wished for

10-year-old boy sells his toys on a 'freezing cold' day to buy his hard-working mom Christmas gifts