Since Great Britain began the tradition more than 150 years ago, royal faces have graced stamps issued by countries around the world. This year, Canada Post carries on this tradition with one stamp featuring a recent photograph of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada.

The close-up portrait of the Queen featured on this stamp was taken on May 19, 2005, during Her Majesty’s most recent royal visit to Canada. The image is complemented by a dazzling ruby red background. “The colour is a cross between the deep red of the Queen’s rose, the national flower of England, and the warm red of the Canadian flag. By blending the two symbols, this issue reflects Canada’s past and present relationship with the Crown,” explains designer Doreen Colonello of Toronto’s Gottschalk+Ash International. The issue will be cancelled in Calgary, Alberta—one of the Queen’s two 2005 royal visit destinations.

To learn more about royal visits to Canada, see: canadiancrown.gc.ca/eng/1396024848439