King Charles III stamps: When Royal Mail will stop accepting Queen stamps

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For the first time in 70 years, Royal Mail stamps will soon bear the portrait of a new monarch.

The reign of King Charles III has begun, and soon post boxes, coins, banknotes and stamps will be changed to reflect this momentous occasion in British history. In the meantime, stamps bearing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II remain valid.

How long will Queen Elizabeth II stamps be valid for?
In a few months' time Queen Elizabeth II stamps will no longer be valid, according to Royal Mail.

A statement said: "Following the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Mail has confirmed that stamps bearing the image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II remain valid for use.

"These include definitive stamps - regular 'everyday' stamps - and special stamps.

"As previously announced, following the introduction of barcodes to everyday stamps, these stamps remain valid until the end of January 2023.

"All special stamps that have already been announced will be issued, although the launch dates of some may change."

Rare stamps bearing the Queen's portrait could increase in value over the coming years.

James Constantinou, founder of prestigepawnbrokers.co.uk, told the Mirror: “Royal stamps depicting Queen Elizabeth II will be most sought after and serious Philatelists will be searching for future growth in terms of their investment.

"With the death of our Queen, prices of stamps depicting Elizabeth II are expecting to rise dramatically with issues with shorter runs expected to see the greatest returns.”

What will happen to the nation's post boxes?

Since the reign of Queen Victoria, postboxes in the UK have been inscribed with the cypher of the reigning monarch.

All of the post boxes with the Queen's EIIR insignia will remain in place, but future postboxes will bear the cypher of King Charles III.

The new King's cypher is likely to be CR or CIIIR, and he appeared to wear a cypher pin on his tie during the proclamation ceremony over the weekend.

Royal Mail added: "In line with past practice, following the death of a monarch all existing post boxes will remain unchanged.

"Post boxes already in production or being prepared for installation will also retain the insignia of Queen Elizabeth II."

Postboxes and stamps are just two of the things that will change on a national scale now King Charles is on the throne.

Coins and bank notes will eventually enter circulation bearing the new King's portrait.

Passports will also be issued in Charles' name, and he will no longer require his own passport as head of state.

Leading barristers have become the King's Counsel (KC) instead of the Queen's Counsel (QC).

And poignantly, the national anthem is now 'God Save The King', ending 70 years of 'God Save The Queen'.