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Poignant final tribute to the Queen revealed

The late monarch passed away in September


queen pink
Gemma Strong
Online Digital News Director
On 3 November 2022
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It has been almost two months since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Her Majesty passed away at the age of 96 at her Balmoral home on 8 September, with her son King Charles ascending to the throne.

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And a powerful final tribute to the Queen has now been revealed.

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Royal Mail has released a Christmas stamp collection featuring the Queen's silhouette for the very last time.

queen duke of edinburgh 1z© Photo: Getty Images

The Queen passed away in September at the age of 96

The set of six Art Deco-style stamps focus on key moments from the Nativity, and each bears an outline of the late monarch for the last time in more than 50 years.

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Designed by Arnold Machin, the distinctive silhouette of the Queen's profile facing left and wearing the Diamond Diadem has appeared on festive stamps since 1967, according to the Postal Museum.

queen smiling with husband prince philip shortly after marriage © Photo: Getty Images

Her portrait has appeared on festive stamps since 1967

The new first and second-class stamp collection was designed by Kent-based artist Katie Ponder.

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Each Christmas stamp also bears a barcode which customers can scan via the Royal Mail app to watch a festive video of Shaun the Sheep, created by Aardman Studios.

queen elizabeth ii pictured smiling with prince william kate middleton© Photo: Getty Images

A letter written by the Queen to William recently resurfaced

While it is the last time the Queen's silhouette will feature in a Christmas collection, there are stamps to be issued over the coming months that she approved which will still display her silhouette.

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It comes after a sweet Christmas letter written by the Queen to her grandson Prince William some 25 years ago resurfaced on the Internet this week.

View post on Twitter

The monarch referred to sending her grandson an advent calendar in her note

In the handwritten letter, the late monarch sweetly penned: "William, I hope you enjoy opening this each day, from Granny," referencing an enclosed advent calendar.

Royal fans were very quick to react on Twitter. "Aw I have never seen this!! They had such a lovely relationship," said one. A second said: "Aawww how lovely. Beautiful, precious memory to treasure." And a third remarked: "Aww, this is the sweetest thing."

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