Royal Navy warships celebrated in new stamps from Royal Mail

Special stamps commemorating Royal Navy ships from 500 years of maritime history are being issued by the Royal Mail.

Renowned marine artist Robert G Lloyd was commissioned to create original artworks of the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and HMS King George V for the set of eight stamps.  Other ships featured include the Mary Rose of 1511, HMS Victory of 1765 and HMS Warrior, 1860.

Philip Parker of the Royal Mail said: “We are proud to launch our tribute to the ‘Senior Service’.

“As an island nation, the Royal Navy’s professionalism and prowess has been instrumental in its history, and we commemorate this with images of key Royal Navy ships spanning 500 years.”

The oldest ship featured is the Mary Rose, built in Portsmouth, which was in service for more than 30 years.

The newest ship is HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s largest ever ship.