Each year Mary of Denmark unveils the Christmas stamps, a collection of stamps sold in the run-up to the holidays to finance children’s homes. For 120 years, the Danes have been used to buying these special stamps whose designs change every year. The 2024 collection puts the new royal couple in the spotlight.
Read also: King Frederik X, Queen Mary and Princess Benedikte invited to a reception by the Icelandic president
Christmas stamps are unveiled each year by Mary of Denmark
Each year, Mary of Denmark is responsible for revealing the design of the Julemærkefonden stamp collection. For the first time, Mary did so as Queen. King Frederik X succeeded his mother to the Danish throne last January, following the surprise abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe. The Julemærkefonden wanted to put the new royal couple in the spotlight, especially since Queen Mary is the patron of the foundation. She shares her patronage with Count Ingolf and Countess Sussie of Rosenborg, cousins of Queen Margrethe.
Read also: The first state banquet of Frederik X and Mary in pure royal tradition in honor of the President of Iceland: flowers, menu and music carefully chosen
It was in 1904 that a Danish postal employee had the idea of adding a charitable dimension to the sale of stamps during the Christmas period. Since that day, it is a real tradition in the country, the Danes buy collector’s stamps, specific to the Christmas period. Originally, the money was used to treat tuberculosis patients. Today, this money is used to operate the reception centers managed by the Maison du timbre. Each year, up to 1,000 children benefit from a stay in one of the association’s five homes, which strengthens their well-being and self-esteem, while combating unhappiness, loneliness and harassment.
This October 10, 2024, a month earlier than in previous years, Queen Mary unveiled the new collection. By choosing to display the faces of King Frederik and Queen Mary on the new stamps, the foundation continued a tradition initiated in 1907 when a stamp was created following the accession to the throne of King Frederick VIII a year earlier. Since then, each change of reign has been accompanied by a special royal collection.
Niels Ditlev, the artist who designed the stamps, was also on hand to help the Queen unveil the collection. Each stamp taken separately represents an activity, in the form of a stylized drawing, which characterizes the habits of the Danes. Niels Ditlev was inspired by the motto that King Frederik chose for his reign: “United, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark,” explains the Foundation. The artist then chose activities that unite the population. Certain symbols also recall historical elements which are an integral part of Danish identity, such as Viking heritage for example.
