Buckingham Palace thwarts Royal Mail’s money-making bid to trademark the Queen’s FACE
The nation’s under-pressure post service wanted to claim ownership of Her Majesty's famous profile so it could make money from merchandise
THE Royal Mail has sparked a major row with Buckingham Palace by trying to trademark the Queen’s head, The Sun can reveal.
The nation’s post service wanted to claim ownership of the monarch’s famous profile image on all stamps for themselves.
The move could have reaped millions in merchandise sales for the under-pressure company by pasting Her Majesty on everything from tea towels to T-shirts and key rings.
Privatised in 2013, Royal Mail chief Moya Greene is under heavy fire from shareholders after overseeing a five per cent drop in revenue last year.
But the Queen’s senior courtiers halted the trademark bid after consulting with her.
A government source said she saw the cash-generating scheme as “deeply inappropriate”.
Government ministers have now stepped in to apply for the trademark on behalf of the Business Department.
All British stamps have borne the iconic image of The Queen’s head, designed by Arnold Machin, since 1967.
The Sun’s revelation today comes after mail bosses infuriated Tory Cabinet ministers by refusing to issue a special set of stamps to commemorate Brexit.
Senior Tory MP Nigel Evans said tonight: “It should be a case of off with their heads, not Her Majesty’s head.
“I’m delighted this has failed because it is wrong to exploit the Queen like that.”
Former deputy speaker Mr Evans added: “If the Royal Mail want to make some money, I suggest they bring out some Brexit stamps on March 29 next year, full of iconic British images. They will make a fortune”.
The Royal Mail refused to discuss its audacious trademark bid.
A company spokesman would only say instead: “We welcome the fact that BEIS has made this application.
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“It is designed to ensure we protect this iconic image of the Queen, which will continue to feature on our stamps.”
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “This is a matter for BEIS.”
A BEIS spokeswoman said: “We can confirm we have applied for a trademark to ensure this iconic image of the Queen’s head remains properly protected.”