Private Royal Mail from Elizabeth and Charles

Abstract

In these months of royal celebration, how The Queen and other close members of her family utilise the postal systems of the United Kingdom is of particular topical interest. Dane Garrod, social and postal historian, explains how and why. The use of the Official Paid handstamp on mail emanating from the Royal Household will be known to stamp collectors, philatelists and postal historians, as will the round or oval royal cypher, which naturally changes design upon each royal accession to the throne, and is impressed on the front of the envelope. What is less known will be how private mail is sent from the Royal Family, how it is kept private and secure, and how the items are authenticated and authorised. This article will endeavour to throw some light on this subject, and may even assist collectors to be aware in order to spot such an item in the future, when they occasionally filter through to the open market. [excerpt]