Celebrations

Canada unveils stamps of Prince William's wedding

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-16 10:30

Canadian Governor General David Johnston looks at a commemorative stamp just unveiled at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa April 15, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

OTTAWA - Canadian Governor General David Johnston unveiled two commemorative stamps on Friday at Rideau Hall in Ottawa to mark the upcoming wedding of British Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

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The stamps will be issued on April 29, the day of the royal wedding, and will be available at post offices, online or by mail order.

The last Royal Wedding stamp by Canada Post was issued in 1948 to honor the 1947 marriage of William's grandmother the Queen, who was then still Princess Elizabeth, and Prince Philip of Greece.

The new stamps feature photographs of the Royal Couple and were personally approved by Prince William and the Queen.

The domestic version of the stamp shows a photo of the couple when they announced their engagement last November, while the international one bears the official engagement portrait taken by famed fashion photographer Mario Testino.

"Canadian stamps document our country's history and accomplishments, but they can also be a snapshot of an event, capturing a particular moment in time," said Deepak Chopra, president and CEO of Canada Post. "We're certain that millions of Canadians, as well as people beyond our borders, will enjoy sharing a piece of royal history in the form of stamps that are fit for a future king and his bride."

Also available on April 29 will be a souvenir sheet of the stamps featuring an inside view of Westminster Abbey, where the marriage will take place.

A limited number of the these special souvenir sheets will be overprinted - in gold foil - with Prince William's Coat of Arms.

The stamps and related products were created by Montreal-based graphic designer Isabelle Toussaint, in close association with Clarence House in London.

Toussaint has worked extensively with Canada Post, most notably on its popular flower series.

Canada Post will produce over 16 million of the stamps, a significantly higher quantity than most commemorative stamp issues outside of the holiday season.

The Canadian stamp will be released on the heels of the British wedding stamp, which was made available to customers on April 7.