The image of HM The King is an adapted version of the portrait created by Martin Jennings for the obverse of the new Royal Mint coinage and shows the new monarch facing to the left. The use of the coin image is a continuation of a long tradition stretching back to the creation of the Penny Black in 1840.

Martin Jennings made a profile sculpture of Charles for the Royal Mint and a team for the Royal Mail adapted an image of the artwork, adjusting and relighting the picture for use on the new stamps.

There is no embellishment at all: a more minimalist design than used in previous years by Charles’s predecessors. The King is not wearing a crown or any other kind of decoration.

For 70 years people have been so used to seeing the image of Queen Elizabeth II there was no wish to do anything too different to what had gone before.

Colours for all four values are retained from the Machin definitive stamps that featured Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:

• 1st Class – Plum Purple
• 2nd Class – Holly Green
• 1st Class Large – Marine Turquoise
• 2nd Class Large – Dark Pine Green

Britain’s postage stamps are unique in not showing the name of the country. The new stamps have nothing except the King’s head, the price and also, now, an attached
barcode.

To minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change of monarch, existing stocks of definitive stamps that feature Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be distributed and issued as planned and will remain valid for use.

The stamps will go on general sale from 4 April, a month before the Coronation takes place on May 6 in Westminster Abbey.

Maureen Flood – Sub Post Mistress