Royal Mail releases final Christmas stamps to feature Queen’s silhouette

The festive Art Deco-style stamps are available to buy from Wednesday.

One of six new stamps celebrating Christmas 2022 exclusively illustrated by award-winning artist, Katie Ponder (Royal Mail/PA) (PA Media)

Royal Mail has released a Christmas stamp collection featuring the Queen’s silhouette for the final time.

The set of six Art Deco-style stamps focus on key moments from the Nativity, and each bears an outline of the late monarch for the last time after more than 50 years.

The festive stamps feature a silhouette based on the effigy by Mary Gillick, which has the Queen wearing a laurel crown and featured on coins in the first part of her reign.

Royal Mail’s colourful Christmas 2022 first and second-class stamp collection was designed by Kent-based artist Katie Ponder.

They depict key images from the Nativity story, including the journey to Bethlehem and the Magi being guided by the star.

Each stamp also bears a barcode which customers can scan via the Royal Mail app to watch a festive video of Shaun The Sheep, created by Aardman Studios.

Royal Mail policy director David Gold said: “Our Christmas stamp issue is always much anticipated, and it is one we particularly look forward to.

“The charming style of these designs sets the perfect tone for the festive season.”

Royal Mail also worked on the collection with The Reverend Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James’s Church in Piccadilly, central London.

Post offices have urged people posting Christmas cards this year to send them early – by December 19 for parcels using second-class stamps, and by December 21 for those sent first-class.

While it is the last time the Queen’s silhouette will feature on a Christmas collection, there are stamps to be issued over the coming months that she approved which will display her silhouette.