Royal Mail Debuts First Christmas Stamps Featuring King Charles III’s Silhouette

Royal Mail recently launched its collection of festive stamps for 2023, featuring a vibrant set of five designs inspired by classic Christmas carols.

The five designs showcased on these stamps draw inspiration from some of the most beloved carols of the season.

Included in the collection are representations of the carols O Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, and We Three Kings.

Each stamp, designed by illustrator Tom Duxbury, brings to life the spirit of these cherished holiday songs.

According to a press release, Duxbury is known for his expertise in woodblock printing, a technique that beautifully captures both vintage and modern scenes.

As such, he was selected to create the first festive postage stamps in history to feature the silhouette of His Majesty King Charles III.

In addition to their festive illustrations, these stamps come with a modern twist. They feature barcodes that enable customers to access a specially created seasonal video.

This video has been crafted exclusively for Royal Mail by the renowned Aardman studio, known for its iconic character, Shaun the Sheep.

In the video, Shaun and his friends spread holiday cheer to the Farmer’s dog.

“It’s been a privilege to illustrate the first set of Christmas stamps to bear the silhouette of His Majesty King Charles III. The theme of Nativity became a chance to create rich, luminous nightscapes,” said Duxbury.

“They echo my own experiences of being out in nature at night—especially the moors where I live. This time and place holds a special kind of feeling; that of stillness, softness, and magic.”

[via Design Week and Sky News, images via Royal Mail]