Despite obvious differences, the postal systems of the United States and the United Kingdom share many similarities. Most notably, they both currently suffer from serious mismanagement and regularly impose significant rate increases while services are in steep decline. But the Royal Mail goes the extra mile to be dysfunctional while being privatized many years ago, and coming under foreign ownership most recently. Finally, the Royal Mail has adopted ugly barcoded stamps, like some other European countries, while the USPS has so far avoided this travesty. However, the Royal Mail has long excelled in the charming character of their public collection, or pillar, boxes. Even today, these adhere to the classic design themes instituted by Anthony Trollope, the popular Victorian novelist who wrote books while keeping his day job as a postal official. His classic red pillarbox design is a familiar symbol of the UK all around the world. Part of the charm of Royal Mail boxes is that they bear the Royal Cypher of the reigning monarch when they were installed. So one can trace the history of any pillar or wall box one might spot by reading the monarch's crest. The most common, of course would be those boxes bearing the symbol of Queen Elizabeth II, due to her extraordinarily long reign. But find a box old enough- and these durable articles exist- and you'll see the symbol of Queen Victoria from over 100 years ago. So today, the notable event was reported- the installation of the first box bearing the cypher of King Charles III. Another addition to the long, long history of the Royal Mail, which is enough to fill a 700 page book.
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