1st class stamp changes colour in honour of Queen's record
Congratulations! Not only is the Queen now the longest serving British monarch, she's managed to get her face on a pretty exciting looking stamp.
If you're not quite familiar with the postal stamp stickers, then they're normally the Queen's profile on a red background which has iridescent print reading "Royal Mail".
But for the next 12 months, things are going to be a bit different for those of us who write letters.
The standard 63p first class stamp is now a regal purple and that tiny colour-changing print reads "Long to Reign Over Us".
It is the first time the colour purple has ever been used for what is known as the First Class Definitive stamp.
Andrew Hammond, stamps and collectibles director at Royal Mail, said: "Royal Mail stamps mark the most significant anniversaries and landmark events in the life of our country. We are proud to commemorate Her Majesty becoming the longest-reigning monarch in UK history."
But that's not all...
The new stamp, along with a collection of four others, has been issued on the day the Queen becomes Britain's longest reigning monarch.
The miniature sheet of stamps includes a 1st class stamp featuring William Wyon's City Medal head of Queen Victoria – the country's previous longest reigning monarch.
Another 1st class stamp features Dorothy Wilding's three-quarter profile photograph of Elizabeth II which was printed on British postage stamps from 1952 until 1967.
There are also two £1.52 stamps – the first showing the Badge of the House of Windsor with the Castle's Round Tower of Windsor Castle flying the Royal Standard and the second containing the Queen's Personal Flag, designed in 1960 for use in Commonwealth countries. It includes an "E" with a crown, surrounded by a garland of roses.
The stamps are available at www.royalmail.com/theroyalconnection, from Post Office branches or by calling Royal Mail on 03457 641 641.
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