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Print and its associated industries have demonstrated their vital role in celebrations and historic events with a variety of royal themed products in preparation for the Coronation of King Charles III.

Royal releases include “Royal Foil”, window displays, postboxes, and items produced in-line with the new King like stamps and Coronation invites.

King Charles has begun to appear on British stamps after the King approved his portrait, however, stocks displaying Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth have and will continue to be sold.

The new design was influenced by the classic profile of Queen Elizabeth created by the artist Arnold Machin in 1967. Notably the stamp/portrait does not include a crown unlike previous monarchs.

The new stamp was unveiled at the Postal Museum in London back in February when the price of first- and second-class stamps increased in price.

The invitation to the Coronation was shared by Buckingham Palace at the start of April which were distributed to over 2,000 guests. 

The artwork for the invitation was hand-painted in watercolour and gouache, while the design was reproduced and printed on recycled card, with gold foil detailing. The design was created by Andrew Jamieson who was inspired by Arthurian legends, and included the motif of the Green Man, an ancient figure in British folklore.

To tie in with the royal celebration many companies have created eye-catching products and tributes to the King.

A Royal Warrant Holder for print services to The Royal Household, Hobs Repro, designed eye-catching window displays for its stores which show off patriotic colours and the now familiar portrait of King Charles. 

?? Want to celebrate the #Coronation of #KingCharlesIII in style? Look no further!

We’ve been creating hampers filled with goodies, including some fellow Royal Warrant Holders! Get in touch if you’d like to create your own engagement boxes:https://t.co/0pFiiSEHAc pic.twitter.com/fKvb5cfLqS

— Hobs Repro (@HobsRepro) April 25, 2023

Online print company instantprint, based in Yorkshire, added a new Royal Foil product to its website which can be added to a range of products. 

The foil has been produced in the signature royal purple and has been produced to decorate the likes of “classy invitations” and “luxury cocktail menus”.

Head of instantprint Laura Mucklow explains: “At instantprint, we’re always looking for new ways to support our customers. We’ve been so excited for the Coronation and couldn’t wait to share our new foiling option. We’ve seen a great uptake in orders already and we’ve really enjoyed seeing the various artwork customers have utilised it on.”

The company adds: “The hospitality sector has been a big purchaser of this finishing option from instantprint. With watch parties and themed dining experiences being some of the most prominent events popping up, we’ve seen a real demand for the purple finishing option.”

Two businesses that recently joined forces, York Bookbinding and McRay Press, previously told Print Monthly they were preparing specially bound books and texts to be used by the royal estate for the Coronation celebrations.

Meanwhile Royal Mail celebrated the Coronation by showcasing four specially decorated postboxes in four prime British locations (London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Royal Hillsborough).

David Gold, director of External Affairs & Policy at Royal Mail, says: “The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla is a momentous occasion and one that will be celebrated across UK. We are proud to mark such a historic event and to offer our warmest congratulations to the King and Queen Consort”.

The postboxes display the official emblem of the Coronation along with patriotic red, white, and blue colourings. 

Despite many celebrating the Coronation, there are many in the UK unhappy about the timing, cost, and meaning of the royal event. The decorated postbox in Cardiff was eventually covered in stickers for several Welsh independence movements especially due to the fact the postbox was placed outside the Owain Glyndwr pub.

Glyndwr was a famous leader of a 15 year revolt against English authority in Wales during the Late Middle Ages, and was the last man born and raised in Wales to have the title of Prince of Wales. 

While the Coronation has proved divisive due partly to the cost-of-living crisis, as well as the frosty public opinion to King Charles, the celebration is undoubtedly a chance for many to enjoy extra time off or get stuck into a new sleugh of work. 

Many Coronation themed prints will be on sale over the next week, as well as special merchandise, and items like Coronation themed stamps from the Royal Mail depicting street parties and special causes the King has been involved in over the years. 

This is only the third time in history that Royal Mail has issued stamps to mark a Coronation. The previous two occasions were for King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

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