Royal Mail has unveiled its Christmas 2023 stamps – the first festive release to feature the silhouette of King Charles.

Collectors are expected to be keen to get their hands on a complete set of the five stamps this year inspired by Christmas carols – with each featuring the lyric from a familiar song.

The five vibrant designs were created by illustrator Tom Duxbury who based his designs around the carols O Holy Night; O Little Town of Bethlehem; Silent Night; Away in a Manger; and We Three Kings.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “For many, the launch of the annual Christmas stamps is the signal to begin writing those Christmas cards.

“The charming style of these designs, which were inspired by the carols that are so familiar to us all, set the perfect tone for the festive season.”

All Royal Mail stamps now carry a special barcode – and the code on this year’s Christmas stamps will allow customers to watch a festive video created by Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman studio.

The Christmas video features Shaun the Sheep and his friends sending some festive cheer to the farmer’s dog and will be available to enjoy by those picking up post containing the special stamps.

To choose and view the video, both the sender and recipient of mail carrying the stamp should download the Royal Mail App.

The sender can then select the Christmas video for the recipient to watch by scanning the stamp barcode which, says Royal Mail, will give that someone special receiving their post something extra to smile about when they receive their card this Christmas.

The stamps are on sale from November 2, and are available to buy through the Royal Mail online, by phone via 03457 641 641 and from 7,000 Post Offices across the UK.

The first Royal Mail Christmas stamps were issued on December 1, 1966 and were the result of a children’s art competition launched by popular television programme Blue Peter.

Since then, children’s designs been used on Christmas stamps on a further three occasions – 1981, 2013 and 2017.