Royal Mail unveils poppy‑coloured stamp set to honour armed forces

The new stamps, released on November 11, mark the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and use a red‑poppy palette.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:32:26 GMT

Royal Mail has revealed images of a six‑stamp set that will be issued on Armistice Day, November 11, to honour the service of the United Kingdom’s armed forces, according to both the Standard and the Independent.

What happened

The stamps, scheduled for release on the anniversary of the 1918 armistice, commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, which began on 1 July 1916. Each of the six designs features artwork commissioned from British artist Matthew Cook, using a colour palette inspired by the red poppy, a recognised symbol of remembrance.

What the reports add

Both outlets report that the designs reflect different aspects of remembrance, though the Standard notes the stamps were "specially commissioned" and highlights Cook’s background as a reservist in the Parachute Regiment and The Rifles, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Independent repeats the same details without additional commentary.

What was said

David Gold of Royal Mail said, “Remembrance holds a profound place in our national life. Through these stamps, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have served our country through two world wars and many other conflicts,” as reported by the Standard and the Independent.

Matthew Cook added, “Remembrance has a very special place in my life, having served as a reservist in the Parachute Regiment and The Rifles and been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. I was delighted to be asked to illustrate these stamps and to take on the challenge,” both outlets quoted.

How it came about

Royal Mail’s decision follows recent commemorative activities in the UK, including the launch of the 2026 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal by six‑year‑old Ivy Knighton‑Leake, which aimed to raise over £50 million for armed‑forces families. The poppy‑themed stamp set continues the tradition of using national symbols to mark significant wartime anniversaries.

Key facts

Royal Mail will issue a six‑stamp set on Armistice Day, 11 November 2026. (standard.co.uk)
The stamps commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. (standard.co.uk)
Artist Matthew Cook created the designs using a red‑poppy colour palette. (standard.co.uk)
David Gold of Royal Mail said the stamps pay tribute to service across two world wars and other conflicts. (standard.co.uk)
Cook, a former reservist deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, expressed delight at illustrating the stamps. (standard.co.uk)