All Hail the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Stamps

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations kicked off in London today. It was full of pageantry and color to mark the sixty year reign of Queen Elizabeth. The Queen renewed her commitment of service to the Commonwealth and along with other members of the royal family she will be undertaking numerous activities. On March second and third, Prince Harry will visit the jewel but this morning, the postal service launched a set of commemorative stamps. News’ Five Delahnie Bain reports.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

A forty-one gun salute at Hyde’s Park followed by a sixty-two gun salute at the Tower of London—both by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery—were among the activities held in the UK today in celebration of the Queen’s, Diamond Jubilee. In Belize, the Postal Service commemorated the occasion with the unveiling of the “Queen Elizabeth II Lifetime of Service” Stamp Collection.

James Gabriel, Asst. Postmaster General

James Gabriel

“The set of stamps comes in sheet-lets; each take the form of a precious diamond and they are in the value of twenty-five cents, sixty cents, seventy-five cents, a dollar, two dollars, five dollars and ten dollars. To complete the set, you also will need to get a souvenir sheet, which is very beautiful. It has a collection of various stamps on that sheet and you will also need to get a first day cover, which is basically a decorated envelope.”

Sir Colville Young, Governor General of Belize

“Today she celebrates sixty years as sovereign and as head of the worldwide Commonwealth. No other monarch, except Queen Victoria, has ever reigned so long. As her majesty’s representative in Belize, it is my honor to lead this morning’s event as we pay tribute to her, by releasing a beautiful set of stamps, illustrating and commemorating her sixty years of service to her people and to the world.”

According to Assistant Post Master General, James Gabriel, the value of this limited edition collection should not be underestimated.

James Gabriel

“These are a commemorative set and it’s a limited edition. To be honest, by the time these stamps were disbursed around the country at the different post offices, it is only a little bit of stamps. so for the persons out there who want to get a set of these stamps, I would encourage them not to hesitate; to immediately go over to their post office—today is the official day that they will be released—and get a set of these stamps. I would just like to encourage each and every Belizean out there to get a set of these stamps. This stamp or this set of stamps will indeed become a valuable set of stamps. As I have mentioned, it marks the sixtieth anniversary of her majesty‘s reign. The only other monarch to have achieved a sixtieth anniversary was Queen Victoria. We might not have another; hence the value that should be placed on these stamps.”

Pat Ashworth

British High Commissioner Pat Ashworth delivered the queen’s official jubilee message at this morning’s launch.

Pat Ashworth, British High Commissioner

“Today, as I mark sixty years as your Queen, I want to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee. In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighborliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.”

Meanwhile, Governor General, Sir Colville Young, in his keynote speech, quoted Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former president of the Royal Commonwealth Society.

Sir Colville Young

Colville Young

“When the history of the modern commonwealth comes to be written, there will be new recognition of the supremely important role that the queen ahs played as its head. She has been far more than the visible symbol of the free association of nations. She has soothed its tempers, she has bound its wounds, she has encouraged its growth and at certain times in her own way, she has steeled its resolve for her guidance and her unwavering commitment, we are deeply in her debt.”

The stamps were designed by CASCO Philatelic Services and printed by BDT International; both reputable companies in the UK. Delahnie Bain for News Five.

The stamps are available at post offices countrywide.