Isle of Man – On Wednesday 9th July 1947, King George VI and the Queen made the long awaited announcement of the ‘betrothal of their dearly beloved daughter, Princess Elizabeth, to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN’. On the 70th anniversary of this momentous occasion, we are proud to present this set of six stamps charting HM Queen and HRH Prince Philip’s seven decades of marriage.

This set of six stamps (1st, 80p, 98p, £1.30, £1.86, £2.33), each features an image of HM Queen and HRH Prince Philip at a key event in their marriage from their wedding day in November 1947 to their appearance at Commonwealth Day in March 2017. These exquisitely detailed stamps have metallic detailing in recognition of this landmark anniversary, along with text drawn from their wedding transcript. Each stamp also has an image of an white orchids with a sprig of myrtle from HM Queen’s wedding bouquet. The orchids were from Osborne House and grown from a cutting brought by Prince Albert from Coburg. The issue text, written by HM Queen’s former press secretary, Dickie Arbiter, shows a warm appreciation the couple’s long life of service and devotion together.

Available in the collection are:
• Set (Mint and CTO)
• Presentation Pack
• First Day Cover
• Sheet set (Mint and CTO)

Issue Date: 09.07.2017
Designer: EJC Design
Printer: Cartor
Process: Offset Lithography
Size: 40 x 40mm
Values: 1st, 80p, 98p, £1.30, £1.86, £2.33