The centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth will be honoured with a new collection of 12 Royal Mail stamps, celebrating her life and passions.
Eight stamps feature milestone photographs from the late monarch’s life, from her 1953 coronation balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace to her first radio broadcast in 1940, aged 14.
Her well-known love of horses and dogs is reflected through a miniature sheet of four stamps, showing her with pets or thoroughbreds throughout her life.
A presentation pack containing all 12 stamps is priced at £22.50.
“With these special stamps, we pay tribute to the late Queen, whose commitment to duty was unparalleled in history,” David Gold, the Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, said.
“The stamps tell the remarkable story of a very public life of dedicated service, and a more private passion for dogs and horses, about which Her Majesty was a renowned expert.”
The late Queen was an ever-present feature on British stamps during her 70-year reign.
Her image was well-known to the public and her likeness was also used on stamps marking royal events and anniversaries.
Elizabeth II died peacefully at her Balmoral home aged 96 on 8 September 2022, after serving as sovereign for 70 years.
She was the nation’s longest-reigning monarch.
For the woman who was never meant to be sovereign, the Queen fulfilled her pledge to serve the nation and Commonwealth and came to earn the respect of many – from world leaders to the public.
The late Queen’s life will be remembered during a series of royal events held around her birthday – 21 April, the date she would have turned 100.
Her son Charles II has reportedly written a speech that will commemorate the 70-year reign of his mother and highlight her legacy and service.
The stamps, and a range of collectable products, are available to pre-order from 14 April from the Royal Mail website before going on general sale from 21 April.
