1st royal mail

You're referring to the history of the Royal Mail!

The Royal Mail has a rich history dating back to 1516, when King Henry VIII granted a charter to the Duke of Norfolk to establish a postal service in England. Over the centuries, the postal service evolved and expanded, with various monarchs and governments playing a significant role in its development.

Here are some key milestones in the history of the Royal Mail:

  1. 1516: King Henry VIII grants a charter to the Duke of Norfolk to establish a postal service in England.
  2. 1635: The General Post Office (GPO) is established, with a network of post offices and postal routes across England.
  3. 1660: The GPO is granted a royal charter, making it a royal institution.
  4. 1710: The GPO is reorganized, with a new system of postal rates and regulations.
  5. 1840: The Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, is introduced.
  6. 1852: The GPO is reorganized again, with a new system of postal districts and sorting offices.
  7. 1870: The GPO is granted a royal warrant, allowing it to use the royal coat of arms on its mailbags and vehicles.
  8. 1918: The GPO is renamed the General Post Office (GPO) Ltd.
  9. 1969: The GPO is privatized, becoming the Post Office Ltd.
  10. 2001: The Post Office Ltd is rebranded as Royal Mail Group Ltd, with the Royal Mail brand becoming a subsidiary.

Today, Royal Mail is one of the largest postal services in the world, with a network of post offices and delivery routes across the UK and internationally.