If you’ve ever stood in front of a post box in the UK as you filed your tax return, you might have seen a few letters on it beneath a picture of a crown.
You are not alone if it has happened to you. They are occasionally spotted by someone who requests assistance in unraveling the riddle.
Typically, the letters either say “G R,” “E R,” “G V R,” or “E II R,” etc. Occasionally, the letters are joined into a jumbled-up sign, and if you’re lucky, you might also see boxes with the letters “V R” on them. You might probably immediately estimate that the next post boxes built in the UK will read “C R” or “C III R” if you are familiar with the line of succession.
According to The Postal Museum, “[Her Majesty] Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Cypher would be the most popular Royal Cypher to many.” “Elizabeth II Regina is represented by her cipher, “EIIR.” Beginning with Henry VIII’s reign, the letter “R” was added to a monarch’s cypher, and it stood for either “Rex” or “Regina,” which are the Latin words for King or Queen.
Thus, “G R” denotes King George V, and “V R” denotes Queen Victoria. As a result, postboxes marked “C R” for King Charles III’s reign will soon be seen.
