New stamps featuring the image of King Charles III have been unveiled by the UK's Royal Mail, the latest item to get a makeover following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
- The new stamp uses an adapted version of a portrait of King Charles
- It will go on sale in April in the UK
- He is the seventh monarch to appear on a definitive stamp
From coins and banknotes to the official royal cipher used by the government, replacements featuring the new monarch have been slowly introduced since the
Queen's death in September.
In keeping with a tradition dating back to the first Penny Black in 1840, the new "definitive" stamp uses an adapted version of a portrait of Charles which is also appearing on new coins.
"As with all stamps, the monarch approved them and so we hope that he's happy with this design," Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy David Gold said.
"The guidance we were given was not to try to be too clever or to try to veer off into some different direction, but very much to keep that traditional image that we're all very much used to."
The new stamp, which will go on general sale at the start of April, consists solely of the King's head and its value on a plain-coloured background.
"There is precedent for the King not wearing a crown," Mr Gold said.
Charles is the seventh monarch to appear on a definitive stamp.
Existing stamps with Elizabeth's image will remain valid and in distribution until stocks are exhausted, the Royal Mail said.
This follows the Reserve Bank of Australia's announcement last week that King Charles will not feature on the $5 note following a review of the design after the Queen's death.
Reuters