New stamps are being issued in the UK to mark the 70th birthday of the Prince of Wales. The set of six stamps includes one bearing a previously unseen image of Prince Charles with his two sons, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex.
The new photo of Charles, William and Harry was taken earlier this summer at an event marking the centenary of the Royal Air Force. The three princes are seen in their RAF uniforms at the celebrations which took place in July. The first class stamp is one of two featuring Charles and his sons. The other features them in more relaxed circumstances, snapped during a polo match.
One of the most popular images of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall is shown on another stamp. The famous photo of Charles and Camilla cuddling during a summer holiday, which was used by the royal couple for their Christmas card in 2015, graces one of the First Class stamps in the collection.
The other three releases show Prince Charles by himself. Two are recent formal portraits of the heir to the throne while another shows him on a visit to Wales where he is surrounded by the flag of the principality.
The stamps are just one of several special souvenirs being released to mark the prince’s landmark birthday – Charles turns 40 on November 14th. Last month, the Royal Mint released a series of £5 coins for the prince’s birthday although you won’t find them in your change as they are uncirculated and only available to buy as souvenirs.
The Prince will celebrate with a special dinner at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the Queen. Royalty from across Europe is expected to attend with King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway alongside Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark will also be there.
The special stamps will be released on Thursday, the day that the Prince of Wales turns 70.