Mr. Speaker, I rise briefly to remind this Honourable House that tomorrow is the much-anticipated coronation of King Charles III, an event that is expected to attract an audience in the hundreds of millions.
Mr. Speaker, the new British monarch was born Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor in Buckingham Palace in 1948, the eldest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Mr. Speaker, Prince Charles was nine years old when he was given the title Prince of Wales. He is now 74 and will be formally crowned on May 06th, 2023, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 08th 2022.
Mr. Speaker, in ascending the throne on the passing of his mother, Charles did not change his name, as was previously speculated. He will be known as King Charles III.
Mr. Speaker, although there are divergent views on the British Monarchy, both here and around the world, as a British Dependent Territory, this first Coronation in nearly seventy years is a historic and significant event for Bermuda. Irrespective of opinions, this Coronation will usher in a new reign that is likely to be very different from that of Queen Elizabeth II.
Mr. Speaker, to commemorate this rare occasion, the Bermuda Post Office (BPO) will be issuing a Coronation stamp and first- day cover later this month. The stamp will be entitled The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Mr. Speaker, the Post Office is producing one thousand (1,000) first-day covers and expects sales to be brisk and eventually, to sell-out, with stamp collectors and fans of the Royal Family eagerly awaiting its release. Mr. Speaker, the first-day cover will be post-marked May 6th, 2023 at issue, to enshrine this important date in the history of the Monarchy and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Speaker, the Post Office is to be commended for having the foresight to issue a $35 King Charles III Express Stamp in March 2023. In doing so, we were the first Country in the entire Commonwealth to issue a high-value King Charles III stamp.
Mr. Speaker, His Majesty King Charles III, and Her Majesty the Queen Consort Camilla, should be celebrated at this time, and our releasing this stamp is a fitting and proper way to do so. This stamp release will also memorialize the event for future generations of Bermudians.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.