A tradition dating back 175 years. As post box design developed and expanded, the custom of including the monarch’s cypher was established. Paul Wagstaff Courier Company nationwide was first courier on the scene, commenting, it stood out with its brand new smart red paint, what a treat to see it in Cambridgeshire.’

The first post box featuring the new cypher for King Charles III was unveiled on frriday (12 July 2024) and is located on High Street, Great Cambourne. The King’s cypher consists of the initials of the monarch’s name, Charles III, and title, Rex – Latin for King, alongside a representation of the Tudor Crown. A commemorative plaque records the special status of this historic post box.

The new box has been installed on the High Street in Great Cambourne, central England, and local school children got to post the first letters, missives to the king himself about their interest in the environment.

The mail box bears the king's cypher, the monogram that appears on government buildings which consists of the initials 'C' and 'R' - representing Charles's name and "Rex", the Latin for king - alongside a depiction of the crown.

Emma Gilthorpe, the chief executive of the Royal Mail, said: "We thank His Majesty for granting us the use of his personal cypher as we begin the next chapter in the story of the iconic Great British post box in Great Cambourne.”

Today there are 115,000 in operation across the country. The first post box was introduced in the 1850s, and their age can be traced by the royal cypher they bear, with the oldest dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria, Charles' great-great-great grandmother.

Paul Wagstaff of Courier Company Nationwide was first courier on the scene.