Everything you need to know about the King’s first Trooping the Colour…

On Saturday 17th June 2023, the UK will witness King Charles III’s FIRST Trooping the Colour ceremony as our monarch.

Whether you’re tuning in on the television or travelling to see the spectacle in person, we can all expect to see a stunning display of military precision and horsemanship as the procession makes it way from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade.

But what exactly is Trooping the Colour, and why do we celebrate it? Continue reading to find out more…

The origins of the ceremony

Trooping the Colour is an annual ceremony held in June to celebrate the official birthday of the British Sovereign, originating as far back as 260 years ago.

The service was first believed to have been performed during King Charles II’s reign, however it wasn’t until 1760 that it became an annual event to commemorate the British Monarch’s official birthday under the reign of King George III.

This historical parade was named in tribute to the British Army’s regiment flags, which are referred to as ‘Colours’ due to the different coloured insignia displayed on each one. Young officers would then march the Colours between the line of troops, giving us the ‘Trooping the Colour’ title, and the colourful celebration we still see to this day.

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Trooping the Colour Flags on Horse Guards Parade
Credit: The British Army

The British Sovereign’s Official Birthday

But why does the British Sovereign have an official birthday?

The answer to having two birthdays is simply down to British weather being better for the parade in the month of June.

Unless the Monarch already has a summer birthday, their second ‘official’ one will always be in June to line up with when Trooping the Colour takes place and to maximise the chances of good weather conditions.

So, although King Charles III’s actual day of birth is 14th November, he will be celebrating his very first King’s Birthday Parade on 17th June this year.

What to expect on the day

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The Trooping the Colour Parade Making its Way Down The Mall
Credit: People.com

On the day, you can expect to see an impressive display of pageantry as His Majesty’s personal troops march down The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, where the ceremony will begin.

There will be over 1400 parading soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses, alongside members of the Royal Family on horseback or in carriages – and of course, with King Charles III himself taking the salute.

As the procession takes place, mass crowds with waving flags are expected to line the streets, with many more around the world viewing the spectacle on television.

And with this year’s Trooping the Colour ceremony being King Charles III’s FIRST as Sovereign, it will certainly be a historical event to remember.

The Trooping the Colour 2023 Silver Coin Cover

To commemorate this special occasion, we have released the Trooping the Colour 2023 Silver Coin Cover in ode to Charles III’s King’s Birthday Parade.

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Featuring His Majesty’s first Silver Britannia coin alongside his first Royal Mail definitive stamps, this Cover will have a one-day-only postmark of 17th June 2023 – a fitting tribute to the first Trooping the Colour of King Charles’ reign.

But with only 200 available worldwide, make sure to secure yours now by clicking here >>

NEW Coronation Stamps issued by the Isle of Man – FIRST LOOK

The Isle of Man has just announced 12 NEW Stamps marking the Coronation of HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla. 

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Isle of Man issue 12 NEW Coronation Stamps

Eight of the stamps feature images of King Charles III and Queen Camilla attending ceremonial events and other social occasions. Three show portraits of the King by Richard Stone, June Mendoza and Michael Griffiths and the final stamp features the King’s cypher.    

Your Pre-release opportunity – The ULTMATE Coronation 50p and Stamp Cover 

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Restricted to JUST 795 collectors – the MOST LIMITED way to own the stamps and 50ps

I’m excited to share with you today the MOST LIMITED way to secure the New Brilliant Uncirculated National Anthem 50p coins for your collection – The ULTIMATE Coronation Stamp and BU 50p Coin Cover. 

This stunning cover features eight of the Official Isle of Man Coronation Stamps alongside the five new 50ps. You’ll need to act fast to secure one though as JUST 795 covers are available for worldwide distribution. 

This is the most limited presentation you’ll find, so from a collector’s point of view, the decision is obvious. Securing a set like this is the only way to own the NEW 50ps and Official Isle of Man Stamps together.

I guarantee you won’t find a smaller edition anywhere else.  

Knowledgeable collectors will be sure to secure theirs quickly because we’re expecting demand to outweigh availability.  

So do not delay, click here to reserve yours now for JUST £65 (+p&p) >> 

The Coronation of King Charles III Stamps Range

The Ultimate Coronation Stamp and 50p Coin Cover is also available in Silver Proof. Only 100 Silver Proof Coronation Coin and Stamp covers will be issued worldwide, making it even more limited than the Brilliant Uncirculated cover.

Shop our full range of stamp products celebrating King Charles III’s Coronation >>

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The end of an era: The final stamps of Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II has graced UK stamps for 70 years, but now we’re coming to the end of an era; Royal Mail have released their final commemorative stamp issue with the Queen’s silhouette, celebrating the centenary of the world’s most famous locomotive – Flying Scotsman.

So, before we steam ahead towards the BRAND-NEW Flying Scotsman editions, let’s take a look back at Queen Elizabeth II’s iconic 70-year reign in UK postage…

The beginning of Queen Elizabeth II stamps

1953 marked the beginning of Her Majesty’s Reign and the introduction of the Wildings – a series of definitive postage and revenue stamps featuring Dorothy Wilding’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which were used up until 1967.

The first four stamps to be issued within this series were for Her Majesty’s 1953 Coronation, presented in the colours of Carmine-Red, Ultramarine, Deep Yellow-Green and Deep Grey-Blue.

Commemorative stamps were then introduced during the 1950s and early 1960s. However, the Postmaster General, Tony Benn, proposed a new criteria outlining what could appear on them. From 1965, it was decided that all GB stamps had to include a small silhouette of the Queen based on the coinage head of Mary Gillick, which then became the standard.

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Two once-in-a-lifetime tributes

And now, Royal Mail have issued twelve commemorative editions featuring Flying Scotsman.

Not only are they the official UK stamps to mark the centenary of the world’s most famous locomotive, but they will also be the last to show the Queen’s silhouette after 70 years – marking two incredible moments in British history!

These nostalgic editions portray the steam locomotive travelling through North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Berwick-on-Tweed and London’s Victoria Station. Inspired by poster artwork from the 1920s and 1930s, Royal Mail’s spokesman David Gold intends for them to evoke “the golden age of steam travel”.

Your chance to celebrate both!

To pay tribute to such monumental moments in history, a limited-edition coin and stamp cover has been released, comprised of The Royal Mint’s Official UK 2023 Flying Scotsman £2 in Brilliant Uncirculated Quality along with Royal Mail’s BRAND-NEW Flying Scotsman stamps.

But considering these are the last UK stamps to feature Queen Elizabeth II, we are predicting insatiable demand – and we have already seen sell-outs at The Royal Mint for the Flying Scotsman coin range.

All steams ahead! Click here to secure one for your collection now >>