King’s stamp unveiled by Royal Mail – and there’s one big difference from the Queen’s | UK News

A major milestone in King Charles’ reign came when the Royal Mail published stamps bearing his image.

The King’s image on first and second class stamps has been revealed as a simple profile picture, showing his head and neck in the style of the late Queen and all British monarchs since Queen Victoria.

In keeping with stamp tradition, the King faces left – but unlike the Queen’s stamp, he does not wear a crown.

The same picture, of a tilted sculpture by artist Martin Jennings, was used by the Royal Mint to mint coins. An image of the sculpture is adjusted and reused for use on new stamps.

This is the first time his image has been featured on a stamp since his mother’s death in September.

The world’s first stamp – known as the black coin – was issued in 1840 and bore the image of Queen Victoria.

The King instructed Royal Mail to keep a consistent style and use up existing Queen stamps rather than crushing them.

Royal Mail’s director of foreign affairs and policy said: “The guidance we have received from Your Majesty is more about continuity and not doing anything too different from what has gone before.”

“I think there is perhaps a recognition that, 70 years ago, people were so used to the image of the Queen, although in fact the current image only started in 1967, they do not want to do too much different from the image of the Queen. with the past. first,” said David Gold.

Retailers will not start selling new stamps until stock has sold out with the late Queen.

However, people can register their interest in the new stamp now on the Royal Mail website.

“The king has given very clear instructions that he doesn’t want anything crushed, he doesn’t want everything chopped up, he doesn’t want the stock to be thrown away,” Mr Gold said.

“He made it very clear, no matter how long it takes you to deliver, there is no rush.”