Law protects Queen’s head on stamps

[sinfiligrana]

The appearance of the Queen’s head on postage stamps is to be guaranteed by law after the Government struck a deal with Buckingham Palace to protect the tradition.

A law which will guarantee that the Queen’s head will feature on UK stamps – even if Royal Mail is run by a foreign company, will be passed soon. Royal Mail has always shown the monarch’s image even though there is currently no legal obligation to do so.

According to Ed Davey, the Postal Affairs Minister said that any potential buyer would be “ mad” to drop the monarch’s image, however, the new law would ensure that a “safeguard” is put in place. In the forthcoming sell-off of Royal Mail, leading bids are expected from German and Dutch operators.

Mr Davey held talks with Buckingham Palace.

Officials had justified the lack of a specific protection by saying it would be “commercial suicide” for any operator to remove the royal head – and that it had not be requested by the Palace. However, it has now emerged that the Postal Services Bill has been amended and that the new draft will be put forward in the coming week which will close any potential loopholes so that the Queen heads or that of any future reigning monarch always remain visible on the stamps unless otherwise requested by Palace.

In a recent statement to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Davey said “After listening to views of members of both Houses of Parliament and the Palace, we have agreed this additional safeguard”
Law protects Queen's head on stamps, 5.0 out of 5 based on 4 ratings

published January 9th, 2011

Source: http://www.worldstampnews.com/2011/01/l ... #more-2950

Cheers
Alejandro