Tuesday May 9, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The image of King Charles III is now on a Canadian stamp.
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II initiated the need for new definitives in Canada and the United Kingdom, said Canada Post in a statement on May 6.
The Coronation for King Charles III was held on Saturday May 6, 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London, England. That was followed by a public concert hosted by the King and Queen at Windsor Castle on Sunday (headlined by Katy Perry and Lionel Richie). The next day was a bank holiday, a day for which people were encouraged to engage in some form of public service as a way to create a legacy for that.
First time for Charles:
While several other members of the Royal Family have appeared on Canadian commemorative stamps – including The Queen Mother, The Prince and Princess of Wales (then The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) and their eldest son, Prince George – the new definitive stamp marks the first time His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada, has had his likeness on a stamp.
Stamp issued May 8:
The His Majesty King Charles III definitive, issued May 8, 2023. The 2006 photograph also appeared on a stamp issued by Jersey Post to mark the 70th birthday of The King (then The Prince of Wales) in 2018.
The heir apparent since 1952, The King was created Prince of Wales by The Queen when he was nine years old. He is the president or patron of more than 400 organizations, including many in Canada.
Since his first official tour of Canada in 1970, His Majesty has returned numerous times. He and The Duchess of Cornwall (now The Queen Consort) made their most recent tour in 2022 as part of The Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations, notably becoming more deeply involved in the process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
New stamps:
The new stamp bearing the image of King Charles III “signals the beginning of a new reign and the continuation of a long tradition of depicting Canadian sovereigns on definitive stamps”, says Canada Post.
A booklet of 10 Permanent stamps (for letter mail 30 g or less, for any destination in Canada) sells for $9.20.
There is also a First Day Cover showing a colour photo of King Charles III, at the price point of $1.92.
New era:
For both collectors and Canadians, it represents a moment in time and a new era in Canadian postage.
===== RELATED:
Coronation Day for older monarch & slimmed-down modernizing monarchy (May 6, 2023)
Raising the Coronation banner at BC Government House (May 5, 2023)