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The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 May 2023 and Royal Mail will issue a ‘miniature sheet’ comprising of 4 stamps to commemorate this historical event.
Since ancient times, different civilisations all over the world have honoured new leaders or rulers with a strikingly similar ritual, incorporating a religious dimension, some sort of throne and a crown. That has certainly been the model for every English, Scottish and, latterly, British coronation.
The monarchy can be regarded as the nation’s ultimate symbol of continuity and stability. As is traditional, the service for King Charles III’s coronation will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.
The design approach considers the day itself only briefly with the Coronation event depicted on the first stamp of the set. The other three stamps are intended to look beyond the day to “A New Reign” and the New Carolean era, with a look at three aspects personal to King Charles III.
- 1st Class: THE CORONATION - Represents the Monarchy, continuity, longevity, heritage, and tradition.
The stamp design features a silhouette of The King at the moment of crowning, with St Edward’s Crown being lowered onto his Majesty’s head by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The King holds the Sovereign’s sceptres in his hands (the Sceptre with Dove and the Sceptre with Cross) and sits in the Coronation Chair. The scene is set in front of Westminster Abbey and in the background a gun salute is being fired by a member of the King’s Troop. Celebratory crowds and fireworks also appear.
- 1st Class: DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY - Reflects a multi-faith community, cohesion, and the people of modern Britain.
The stamp design features figures representing the Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths in the foreground. It is representative of all faiths and none. The setting features aspects of both rural and urban Britain in the background, and includes religious buildings representing these six faiths from different regions of the UK.
- £2.20: THE COMMONWEALTH - Depicts an outward looking Britain, global trade, co- operation, democracy, and peace.
The stamp design features an imagined Commonwealth meeting, a representation of the Commonwealth Games, some of the flags of the Commonwealth nations, a scene depicting trade and commerce, and a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery.
- £2.20: SUSTAINABILITY AND BIODIVERSITY - Highlights the importance of conservation, biodiversity and a society that works with nature.
The stamp design depicts a juxtaposition of natural landscapes and sustainable farming methods and features renewable sources of energy such as hydro-electric power, solar panels, and electric trains. Wildlife conservation is referenced with the inclusion of diverse forests, wildflower meadows, insects, and pollination. Traditional crafts such as hedge-laying and beekeeping are also depicted.
