King’s image brings a new look to stamps

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K stamps will feature the King’s image for the first time starting today, but the Queen’s image will remain on our mail for some time.

Charles’s image, adapted by artist Martin Jennings’ design for use on coins by the Royal Mint, will appear on all new presentation pack stamps for sale.

But the new stamps will not be sold at post offices and other retailers until stocks bearing his mother’s image are used up.

Royal mail Director of External Affairs and Policy David Gold said Charles has asked for existing supplies to be used rather than destroyed.

Mr. Gold said, “The King gave very clear directions that he didn’t want anything pulverized, he didn’t want things shredded, he didn’t want the stock thrown away.

“He was very clear, no matter how long it takes to clear the stock, there is no rush… fully in line with his well-defined principles of waste and environmental awareness.”

The new stamp features Charles’ head and neck facing left, as all monarchs have done since Queen Victoria appeared on the Penny Black – the world’s first stamp – in 1840.

Mr Gold said: “The guidance we received from His Majesty was more about continuity and not doing anything different than before.

“I think there’s a recognition that people have been so accustomed to seeing Her Majesty’s image for 70 years – even though the current image didn’t start until 1967 – that they wouldn’t want it any other way.”

The continuity ensures that the colors of the stamps are preserved – plum purple for first class, holly green for second class, navy turquoise for large first class, and dark fir green for large second class.

The new first class stamp is part of an exhibition in London Mail Museum which runs until September 23.

The first stamps featuring Charles’s silhouette went on sale in March in the corner of a collection celebrating the country’s favorite flowers.

His mother’s silhouette had been on special stamps since 1966.

The last set featuring her image was unveiled in February on a set of stamps marking the 100th anniversary of the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive.

The change in images comes a day after a rise in stamp prices – first class rises by 15p to £1.10 and second class rises by 7p to 75p.

Royal Mail said the increase was necessary to continue its one-price Universal Service.

Chief commercial officer Nick Landon said: “We appreciate that many businesses and households are facing a challenging economic environment and we are committed to keeping our prices affordable.

“Letters have decreased by 25% compared to pre-pandemic.

“We need to carefully weigh our pricing against a continued decline in letter volumes and the rising costs of delivering letters six days a week to an ever-growing number of addresses across the country.”