The British Royal Mail revealed today the new King Charles III stamps, that will go on general sale from 4 April 2023. The image of HM The King is featured on first and second class stamps, in an adapted version of the portrait created by Martin Jennings for The Royal Mint.
The King wanted a simple design, therefore, “it’s a very human image, with no embellishment, no crown”, as Royal Mail director of external affairs, David Gold said. The profile portrait shows King Charles III facing to the left, “on the plain background, almost saying: ‘This is me and I’m at your service,’ which I think in this modern age is actually rather humbling.”
In the United Kingdom, there is a tradition for postage stamps to feature portraits of the reigning monarch, dating back to 1840, when under Queen Victoria, the world’s first postage stamp, known as the “Penny Black,” was issued. The current stamps showcasing the late Queen, will continue to be sold until the stocks run out, as “the King gave very clear directions – he didn’t want anything to be pulped, he didn’t want things being shredded, he didn’t want stock being thrown away.” The new stamps will go on general sale from 4 April while a” range of collectibles with all four new King Charles III stamps including a Presentation Pack and First Day Cover will be available to pre-order from 3 March.”
The stamps are the latest items to get a makeover following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in September last year. In December, Post Office branches throughout the country reportedly received 4.9 million 50 pence coins bearing The King’s effigy and the Bank of England has unveiled the designs for new banknotes featuring the portrait of King Charles III set to go into circulation by the middle of 2024.
Source: theguardian.com
