Royal Mail has recently announced a set of special stamps that are a significant milestone in British philatelic history. The stamps feature colourful images of 10 of the most popular types of flowers found in gardens all over the UK. Significantly, they are the first Special Stamps to carry the new effigy of His Majesty King Charles III.
The stamps show an uncrowned Charles in silver and facing to the right in the top left-hand corner, and are part of 10 special stamps celebrating the nation’s favourite flowers, with the sweet pea chosen along with a sunflower, a purple iris, a pink lily, a fuchsia, an orange-red tulip, a dark pink peony, a bright orange nasturtium, a pale pink rose and a light purple-tinted dahlia. The creation of the King’s silhouette was a collaboration between illustrator Andrew Davidson, Royal Mail’s head of design and editorial, and Marcus James and Ian Chilvers from design agency Atelier Works.
This set of stamps is a beautiful tribute to the nation’s love of gardening and flowers. It is also a historic moment as it marks the first time that the new effigy of His Majesty King Charles III is featured on a set of Special Stamps. The inclusion of gardening writer Naomi Slade’s contribution highlights the significance of flowers in our lives and their enduring presence in British culture.
David Gold, Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, said: “Britain is a nation of gardeners, and a love of flowers runs deep in our collective consciousness. His Majesty is known to be a passionate gardener, and we are delighted that the first special stamps to feature his silhouette should be a celebration of some of the most popular flowers in British gardens.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Flowers mark our celebrations, our joys and our sorrows and, above all, they unify us through a pleasure that we can all understand.” The first-class floral stamps are available to pre-order from March 14 at www.royalmail.com/flowers and on 03457 641 641.
The colourful images of the nation’s favourite flowers on these stamps will no doubt bring joy to many as they adorn letters and parcels sent across the UK and beyond.
