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Friday 28th April 2023 00:30 BST
Four new stamps have been issued to celebrate the upcoming coronation and causes King Charles “has dedicated his life of public service to”, Royal Mail has said.
Cultural diversity and community, the Commonwealth and sustainability and biodiversity are those causes – and are some of the King’s most prominent concerns.
The monarch himself features on the coronation stamp at the key moment of the actual service on 6 May.
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On the stamp, St Edward’s Crown is seen being lowered onto his head by the Archbishop of Canterbury in front of Westminster Abbey; in real life they will be inside.
The King is sitting in the Coronation Chair while holding the Sceptre with Dove and the Sceptre with Cross.
Fireworks, a gun salute and cheering crowds are depicted in the background.
Figures representing the Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist religions are seen on the diversity and community stamp, meant to represent all faiths and none.
A mosque and a church also feature in the background scene showing rural and urban Britain.
The Commonwealth stamp is projected to show the UK as an outward-looking nation, focusing on global trade, co-operation, democracy and peace.
It features an imagined Commonwealth meeting, a representation of the Commonwealth Games, some of the flags of the Commonwealth nations, a scene depicting trade and commerce and a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery.
The monarch’s famous passion for the environment is confirmed on the sustainability and biodiversity stamp, which shows forests, wildflowers and pollinating insects, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation to Charles.
Traditional crafts such as hedge-laying and beekeeping also feature alongside renewable energy sources like hydroelectric power and solar panels and sustainable farming methods.
They are now available to pre-order and go on general sale on the day of the coronation, making the third time Royal Mail has issued stamps to mark a coronation after 1937 and 1953 for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II respectively.
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The stamps were designed by Atelier Works and feature newly commissioned wood engravings by British artist Andrew Davidson.
Simon Thompson, chief executive of Royal Mail, said: “Royal Mail is proud to issue this set of commemorative stamps which celebrate the coronation, and some of the causes which His Majesty has championed throughout his many years of public service.
“I am delighted that they mark the start of a new reign and a new chapter in our history.”
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