Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II

One year on from her passing, September's stamp issue commemorates the Queen's relationship with Aotearoa New Zealand and acknowledges 96 years of unwavering commitment. The stamps celebrate the Queen’s remarkable legacy, reflecting not just the evolution of her image but also her changing relationship with this country.

The stamps begin with an image taken during the Queen’s hugely popular 1953-54 Royal visit, a tour that occurred not long after the Queen’s coronation. The stamps also remember her attendance at the 1974 Commonwealth Games, her silver Jubilee tour in 1977, when she officially opened the new government building - the Beehive, a visit in 2002 when she attended the America’s Cup during her Jubilee tour, and another from the same visit when she visited Rehua, a Ngāi Tahu marae in Christchurch. A sixth stamp shows the Queen in her official role as Queen of New Zealand, at London’s Hyde Park commemorating the First and Second World Wars on Armistice Day in 2006.

In each stamp the Queen is pictured wearing a hat, a fashion accessory she was rarely seen without. Even as a child, she was photographed in bonnets and berets. The Queen continued to wear hats even when they went out of fashion. They remained a significant part of her distinctive style.

The history of Queen Elizabeth II’s presence on New Zealand postage stamps is a captivating journey through time. Each stamp tells a unique story, celebrating a significant milestones or event in her reign. Together, they provide a visual record of her enduring connection with Aotearoa New Zealand.

Coronation splendour

One of the most iconic stamp releases featuring Queen Elizabeth II was the 1953 Coronation issue. These stamps commemorated the Queen's coronation, showcasing the grandeur and elegance of the event. The designs not only portrayed Her Majesty with her coronation regalia, but also captured the spirit of the occasion, making the stamps prized collectables for philatelists worldwide.

Recently, some historical Queen Elizabeth II stamps were released as stamp prints. The stamps depict the Queen wearing her crown and are embellished with native flora. Created using macrophotography, details in the original stamps have been preserved in the prints.

Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II embarked on numerous royal visits and celebrated many milestones. All of these occasions were marked by special stamp releases that allowed collectors to chronicle the Queen’s journey, her role as the Queen of New Zealand and the events that shaped her reign.

Examples include stamps issued to commemorate the Queen's Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees. Together the issues showcase the evolution of her image over the years and the changing design trends in philately.

The future of philately

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the future of philately takes on a new dimension. Stamp collectors around the world will likely seek to commemorate her life and reign through special issues and tributes. These future stamp releases will capture the Queen’s enduring influence on the world of philately and continue to connect collectors with the rich history of her reign.

1

2

Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy lives on not only in the hearts of her people but also in the world of stamp collecting. The numerous stamp releases featuring her image tell stories. As collectors continue to treasure and seek out these stamps, they ensure that the memory of this remarkable monarch will endure for generations to come. Above: 1 $2.00 Royal Visit 1953-54 stamp. 2 $2.00 Silver Jubilee Tour 1977 stamp.

Right: 1 Gold-foiled miniature sheet. 2

First day cover and miniature sheet first day cover. 3 $2.00 Commonwealth Games stamp. 4 Presentation pack. 5 $3.30 Rehua Marae stamp.

Facing page: Queen Elizabeth II at the America's Cup Village, 2002.