The Royal Mail has released its festive stamp collection – and it will be the last set of postage stamps to feature the late Queen Elizabeth’s silhouette.
The set of six time-limited stamps is designed in an Art Deco style and depicts scenes from the Nativity, including the Three Kings following the star, and Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem
Each stamp in the Christmas 2022 collection also bears a barcode which customers can scan to watch a special festive video featuring Shaun the Sheep.
The late Queen took a keen interest in stamps throughout her life. She was a patron of the Royal Philatelic Society London – the world’s oldest stamp society – from 1952, keeping up a tradition in the Royal family after George V, the Queen’s grandfather, became the society’s patron in 1910.
Royal Mail worked with Kent-based artist Katie Ponder to create the 2022 collection. Katie, who has previously illustrated work for Canterbury Cathedral, commented: “It’s a huge honour to illustrate the Nativity story which is sacred to so many people and is a story full of hope and joy.
“Knowing that the artwork I created will be a part of people’s Christmas celebrations and Christmas post this year is very magical to me. I hope that everyone enjoys the pictures I’ve made for them.
“It’s important to me to acknowledge that there were a team of people behind these stamps that made them what they are.
“The artwork itself was very much a collaboration between myself and art director Rory Brady at Baxter and Bailey. He was an amazing director to work with as he gave me complete freedom to interpret the Nativity story in my own style and from there, he could see what worked about my illustrations, and how to amplify the designs and make them what they are today.”
People have been urged to send their Christmas post early this year to make sure it gets delivered on time.
Post with second-class stamps must be sent by 19 December to be delivered in time for Christmas. First-class parcels will be delivered on time if they are posted by 21 December.
The festive stamp collection is available to purchase on the Royal Mail website and includes collectable souvenir sheets and envelopes
