Isle of Man first with Queen mum stamp

The Isle of Man has won the race to be first to pay tribute to the late Queen Mother on a postage stamp.

The tiny island’s Post Office has beaten its giant neighbour Royal Mail to issue a stamp on Tuesday April 23. Royal Mail’s Queen Mother stamps are not on sale until April 25.

The £3 Isle of Man stamp, which has royal approval, features a portrait of the Queen Mother by artist Johnny Jonas, who was commissioned by the Carlton Club, London, to mark her 100th birthday.

‘‘I am extremely pleased with the portrait. It’s a complete salute to the Queen Mother’s lifelong passion for horses and racing,’’ said Mr Jonas.