11 September 2013

Prince George of Cambridge begins New Zealand tour

Prince George of Cambridge will start travelling the length and breadth of New Zealand today – at just seven weeks of age.

But limousines and horse-drawn carriages are off the agenda for this particular ‘royal tour’. Instead the world’s most famous baby will be travelling in trucks, freight planes and bicycle saddle bags.

Prince George’s arrival is the first ever royal birth to be celebrated on a New Zealand stamp – with four designs available nationwide from today (Wednesday 11 September).

“I think it’s safe to say that’s it’ll be a while before Prince George makes it to New Zealand in the flesh, and these stamps are probably the closest you’ll get in the meantime,” Simon Allison, stamps spokesman for New Zealand Post says.

“There’s been an absolute outpouring of affection from across the Commonwealth since the Prince’s birth on 22 July 2013, and we expect interest in this very special stamp issue to be high.

“We’ve never before produced a stamp to mark a Royal birth, so this will also be one for the collectors and the history books,” Simon Allison says

The stamps feature photographs of the royal baby, Prince George, the day after his birth, cradled by his parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  The images have been specially approved for use on these stamps by Queen Elizabeth, George’s great-grandmother.

The stamps also feature on a first day cover, and in a presentation pack.

A limited edition 1 oz silver coin with selective gold plating has also been produced to mark the Royal birth.

The Royal Baby stamp and coin issue is now available at PostShops, REAL Aotearoa stores, and online at www.nzpost.co.nz/royalbaby and www.nzcoins.co.nz or by phoning 0800 782 677.

Note: New Zealand Post is authorised by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as the only official issuer of legal tender New Zealand commemorative coins.

Click for big version.

(ends)

© Scoop Media