Prince Charles meets young stamp design winners

The Prince of Wales has met winners of a children’s competition for new stamp designs based on heroes of the pandemic.

The winning eight designs, chosen from more than 600,000 entries, feature NHS workers, a scientist, a delivery driver and Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Charles, 73,  welcomed the winners and their parents to a reception at Clarence House on Thursday where he spoke to each child about their design.

The heir to the throne also presented them with certificates marking the fact it was a Guinness world record for the largest postage stamp design competition.

According to Royal Mail’s chief executive Simon Thompson, the designs ‘captured the resilience and determination of the British people’. 

Among the winning designs of the competition, which had a ‘Pandemic Heroes’ theme, was this image of Captain Tom Moore, by 11-year-old Shachow Ali

Connie Stuart, aged 14, created this stamp, which shows an NHS worker wearing a mask, emblazoned with the words ‘saving lives’

The Prince of Wales met seven of the eight winners (pictured) of a stamp design competition at a Clarence House reception on Thursday

Speaking to 15-year-old Jessica Roberts, from Flintshire, Charles praised her design and joked that the event was an ‘excuse to miss school’.

Talking to her about the art she is doing at school, Charles said: ‘You should pass that with flying colours.’ Charles also remarked: ‘Thank God people still send letters.’

Speaking after meeting the prince, Jessica said she plans to use one of her stamps on a letter to her aunt in New Zealand.

Reflecting on meeting Charles, she said: ‘I thought it was going to be a lot more nerve-wracking but it was actually really nice.’ 

Alfie Craddock, aged 12, also earned one of the winner’s spots, with his design featuring a medic and thanking the NHS

The winning designs all represented the competition’s ‘Pandemic Hero’ theme, featuring front line workers and other notable figures

Jessica Roberts, aged 15, created this stamp, which depicts frontline workers doing their jobs amid the pandemic

During the Clarence House reception, Prince Charles met the winners of the competition and discussed their designs with them

Meanwhile, Charles received a thank you card from seven-year-old Isabella Grover which featured a rainbow similar to the one on her stamp design. She told Charles that she really likes rainbows and he replied: ‘I agree, so do I.’ 

Afterwards, Isabella’s father Edward said Charles made everyone feel at ease, adding that he was genuinely interested. Her mother Clare said: ‘He’s very charming.’ 

The children and their parents were served tea with postage stamp-inspired biscuits after meeting Charles.

Entries from across the UK celebrated heroes, including NHS workers, parents, carers, cleaning staff, teachers, supermarket staff, public transport employees and delivery drivers. 

Ishan Baines, aged seven, (pictured), meets the heir to the throne during the special event 

14-year-old Rafi Valle Martin opted to depict a hospital cleaner in his design, cleverly incorporating a rainbow into the drawing

The Prince of Wales meets meets Shachow Ali, aged 11, at the event at Clarence House 

While meeting Jessica Roberts, aged 15, (pictured) Charles joked the reception was a good excuse to miss school 

Also depicted were many volunteers who have helped in their local communities or raised money for charity. 

Judges including retired teachers selected 120 regional finalists before a panel including the Prime Minister and Baroness Floella Benjamin picked 24 regional winners. 

The final eight winning designs were personally selected by Charles, with the finished stamps approved by the Queen. 

Simon Thompson, Royal Mail chief executive, said: ‘As we approach the second anniversary of the first lockdown, it’s fitting that the nation’s children have taken the lead in celebrating the heroes of the pandemic. 

According to Royal Mail’s chief executive Simon Thompson, the designs ‘captured the resilience and determination of the British people’. This one was by Logan Pearson, aged 11

Logan Pearson, aged 11, looked happy to be meeting the royal, who had personally approved the competition’s eight winning entries 

Alfie Craddock, aged 12 (pictured) discussed his entry with Prince Charles; the royal appeared enthusiastic as he looked at the image

During the reception at Clarence House, attendees were treated to shortbread and jam biscuits in the shape of a stamp

‘They have captured the resilience and determination of the British people in eight drawings.’

A special postmark will feature on stamped mail delivered to addresses nationwide.

Every winner will have their name included on their own congratulatory postmark over the coming weeks. 

The stamps will be available to pre-order from Friday and available on general sale from March 23.