The Royal Postal Service
Communication & Connectivity
In an era where the world is interconnected yet often feels distant, the Royal Postal Service of the Principality of Hutt River served as a vital thread weaving its citizens together, embodying the spirit of community and communication that transcended borders.
With each letter meticulously delivered, the Royal Postal Service not only facilitated correspondence but also fostered a profound sense of belonging among the residents, allowing them to share stories, celebrate milestones, and maintain connections that echoed the principality’s commitment to sovereignty and unity.
Section Leader
Hutt River Postal Service
The Royal Hutt River Postal Service was established to provide the necessary service of mail delivery and dispatch within the Principality and was one of the earliest government services established following secession.
As detailed in the transcript of the court findings below, mail has been serviced by the Principality’s Post Office since its inception and the Post Office operates under the authority of the Royal Hutt River Postal Service.
All mail posted within the Principality carries the Principality’s Postage Stamps and Postmark, whilst all incoming mail is delivered without hindrance by the Royal Hutt River Postal Service.
The first Hutt River Postage Stamps issued being the “Wildflowers” issue on 15/11/1973 with new issues regularly being introduced through to the present day.
To date, around 60 different sets of Postage Stamps, totalling more than 220 individual Stamps have been issued and all are well sought after by collectors world-wide.
Whilst many early issues have long been withdrawn from Service the Hutt River Historical Society does have some limited stocks of the earlier issues still available.
Issue 01
Wildflowers
15/11/1973
Issue 03
Prince Leonard 4th Anniversary
21/04/1974
Mini-sheet imperforate set of 4.
Issue 05
Birds
15/04/1976
Design by Princess Sherryl, Duchess of Castile.
Issue 09 – Special!
Antarctic Carried Cover
23/11/1977
WORLD FIRST! Cover flown over the South Magnetic Pole and the Antarctic Continent.
Issue 14 – Special!
Vatican Visit by HRH Prince Leonard
20/09/1979
This is an outstanding and rare event issue and what is believed to be the first time a Pope has allowed his head to be placed on a stamp alongside a Sovereigns head.
A small number of covers were carried to the Vatican by HRH Prince Leonard and whilst attending there they were stamped FD issue on Sept 20 and at the same time were overprinted with the Vatican visa and Vatican postage stamp, at least two different Vatican postage stamps were used by order of the Vatican Authorities to acknowledge & commemorate the Royal Visit.
There were only a small number of this issue treated in this way and many of those were presented at the Vatican dinner to attendee’s (mainly Bishops) by HRH Prince Leonard.
Celebration of Life of HRH Princess Shirley
27/08/2013