The image of the King gives the stamps a new look

From today, the image of the King will appear on UK stamps for the first time, but the image of the Queen will remain on our postage for some time to come.

An image of Charles adapted from a design by artist Martin Jennings for use on coins Royal Mintwill appear on all new stamps with presentation packs on sale.

But the new stamps will not be sold in post offices and other retail chains until the stock of his mother’s image runs out.

Royal Mail Director of External Relations and Policy David Gold said that Charles had asked that existing stocks be used rather than destroyed.

Mr gold said: “King gave very clear instructions, he didn’t want anything to mush, he didn’t want things to be shredded, he didn’t want the stock to be wasted.

“He was very clear that no matter how long it takes to clear the stockpile, there is no need to rush it … completely in line with his well-stated principles of waste and environmental protection.”

On the new stamp, Charles’ head and neck are turned to the left, as all monarchs have done since Queen Victoria appeared on the Penny Black – the world’s first postage stamp – in 1840.

Mr Gold said: “The guidance we got from His Majesty was more about continuity and not doing anything too different to what has gone before.

“I think there is evidence that in 70 years people have become so used to seeing the image of Her Majesty – even through the current image, which only appeared in 1967 – that they did not want anything else.”

Continuity involves maintaining the colors of the stamps: plum purple for first class, holly green for second class, sea turquoise for large first class, and dark pine green for large second class.

The new First Class stamp is part of an exhibition at the London Postal Museum, which runs until 23 September.

The first stamps featuring a silhouette of Charles went on sale in March in a corner of the collection honoring the nation’s favorite flowers.

His mother’s silhouette appeared on special stamps from 1966.

The latest set featuring her was introduced in February on a set of stamps commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive.

The image changes come a day after stamp prices rose, with First Class up 15p to £1.10 and Second Class up 7p to 75p.

Royal Mail said the rise was necessary to continue its universal one-price service.

Chief Commercial Officer Nick Landon said: “We understand that many businesses and households are facing a difficult economic situation and we aim to keep our prices affordable.

“Letters are down 25% compared to the pre-pandemic period.

“We have to carefully balance our prices with the continued decline in letter volumes and the rising cost of delivering letters six days a week to an ever-increasing number of addresses across the country.”