To celebrate the birth of Prince George, son to Prince William and Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge, the New Zealand Post is set to issue a stamp picturing the moments the couple first stepped out in public with their newborn.
There have been pictures of royal children on the country’s stamps before, but in its 170 years, the organisation has never commemorated a birth.
The photographs used are of the proud mother and father introducing little George to the world as they stood outside St Mary’s Hospital in London a day after his July 22 birth. Two stamps show the trio together, one full-length and one waist up, while another shows just mother and child, the fourth pictures Prince William holding his son.
A limited-edition 1oz silver proof coin is also being produced to mark the royal birth, which features a stylised koru – a pattern used in Māori art to symbolise new life.
NZ Post spokesman Simon Allison said, “The minute news of the prince’s birth came through, we put into action a plan we’d had in place and worked around the clock to get our commemorative stamp and coin issue finalised.”
All of the commemorative items have been approved by the Queen, William and Catherine. Pre-orders are available now and the stamps, first day covers and presentation packs will be released on September 11.
Image: Getty
