How long has the royal mail been around

The Royal Mail, also known as the General Post Office (GPO), has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century. Here's a brief overview:

• 1516: The first recorded postal service in England was established by Henry VIII, who appointed a Master of the Posts to oversee the delivery of official documents.
• 1635: The General Post Office (GPO) was formally established by King Charles I, with a network of post offices and routes across England and Wales.
• 1660: The GPO was reorganized and expanded under the reign of King Charles II, with the introduction of a standardized postal system and the establishment of the first postal rates.
• 1710: The GPO was granted a royal charter, giving it a monopoly on postal services in England and Wales.
• 1840: The Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, was introduced, making it easier and more affordable for people to send mail.
• 1870: The GPO was reorganized and renamed the Post Office, with a focus on expanding services to include telegraphy and telephone communications.
• 1969: The Post Office was rebranded as the General Post Office (GPO) again, and the Royal Mail was established as a separate entity.
• 1986: The Royal Mail was privatized, with the government selling off a majority stake in the company.
• 2013: The Royal Mail was floated on the London Stock Exchange, with the government retaining a 30% stake in the company.

Today, the Royal Mail is one of the largest postal services in the world, with a network of over 14,000 post offices and a fleet of over 10,000 delivery vehicles. It employs over 120,000 people and handles over 12 billion items of mail every year.