20 August 2024
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The first postbox featuring the cypher of HM King Charles III has been installed.
Where is the new King Charles III postbox located?
The postbox is located on High Street, Great Cambourne, Cambridgeshire. The box was unveiled by children from the Vine Inter-Church Primary School, in Upper Cambourne and HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Mrs Julie Spence, OBE, CStJ, QPM. The children from Vine Inter-Church Primary School then posted the first letters into the postbox, using special stamps that celebrated HM King Charles III’s coronation.
Related article: King Charles III to feature on definitive stamps
Above: HM Lord-Lieutentant of Cambridgeshire, Mrs Julie Spence OBE CStJ QPM, and pupils from the Vine Inter-Church Primary School
Each of the children were asked to write a letter about the school’s new Forest School, which will be opening in September. The King was also invited to open the new school by the children. The letters were jointly posted by the head pupil and deputy head pupil and sent to His Majesty at Buckingham Palace.
Related article: King Charles definitive stamps – technical details and products
The use of the Royal cypher on postboxes
A commemorative plaque has been placed on this historic postbox as it is the first featuring the cyper of HM King Charles III. Whilst several new or replacement postboxes have been installed since His Majesty ascended the throne, the existing stocks carrying the cypher of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II were used.
Related article: Cypher of King Charles III on new Guernsey stamps
Above: The commemorative plaque that's been placed on the first postbox featuring the cypher of HM King Charles III
The tradition of using a royal cypher on postboxes dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria. The use of the cypher identifies the reigning monarch at the time they were installed. The new cypher consists of the initials of King Charles III and the title Rex, which is Latin for King, alongside a representation of the Tudor Crown. When there is a change in monarch, new postboxes carry the new cypher, but any existing postboxes retain their original cypher from when they were installed. The new cypher is also being applied to the doors of Royal Mail’s fleet of vehicles. In total, 3,636 delivery vehicles will be updated between August and October.
The king’s cypher will not be applied to new postboxes in Scotland. Scottish postboxes have been distinguished with the St Andrews crown rather than the monarch’s cypher since 1955.