Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘An honour’: Spice Girls react as Royal Mail releases stamps celebrating band’s 30th anniversary

Record-breaking girl group have been honoured by a special collection of stamps from the Royal Mail

Roisin O'Connor
Music Editor
Thursday 11 January 2024 13:23 GMT
Comments
Spice Girls star on Royal Mail stamps for 30th anniversary

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Stamps honouring iconic British pop band the Spice Girls were released by the Royal Mail today (11 January), celebrating the achievements of the fab five.

The special edition stamps have been released to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the chart-dominating girl group, who rose to fame in the Nineties with a number of hit songs and their “Girl Power” ethos.

It marks the first time the Royal Mail has dedicated a stamp collection to an all-female group. Previous special editions have honoured musicians such as The Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney and Dame Shirley Bassey.

The Spice Girls said they were “so excited to be celebrated by Royal Mail, alongside some of the most iconic and influential music legends”.

The 10 main stamps feature images of the group performing at the 1997 Brit Awards, including Geri Horner in her legendary Union Jack dress, as well as their reunion at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony.

A further collector’s edition features portraits taken on the set of the 1997 film, Spice World.

Individual members of the Spice Girls got their own stamps
Individual members of the Spice Girls got their own stamps (The Independent)

The Spice Girls – comprising members Victoria Beckham, Geri Horner, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chislholm and Emma Bunton – formed in 1994 after a casting advert was posted in The Stage, asking: “R.U. 18-23 with the ability to sing/dance?”

Their debut single “Wannabe” was released two years later, topping the charts for seven weeks and catapulting the group to international fame.

They went on to release a further eight UK No 1 singles, including “Spice Up Your Life”, “Viva Forever” and “2 Become 1”.

Spice Girls star on Royal Mail stamps for 30th anniversary celebrations.
Spice Girls star on Royal Mail stamps for 30th anniversary celebrations. (Spice Girls/ Royal Mail)

Sharing her delight at the stamp designs, Beckham, AKA Posh Spice, shared a post to her Instagram where she wrote: “Honoured to be the first girl group to be featured on a commemorative stamp and so proud of everything we’ve achieved @SpiceGirls!!

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up
Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up

“Thank you to my family, friends and all of our fans around the world for the love and support! Kisses @EmmaLeeBunton @OfficialMelB @GeriHalliwellHorner @MelanieCMusic xx.”

“Another first!” Bunton, AKA Baby Spice, wrote on her own Instagram page. “Many exciting things have happened in my Spice Girl life, but this has put the ‘stamp’ on it!!!! Yes!”

(PA)

Chisholm, AKA Mel C, said: “How amazing is this! Being a Spice Girl has given me so many incredible experiences and what an honour to celebrate some of our most iconic moments with a collection of @royalmailofficial stamps.”

Mel C’s stamp, showing her at the Brit Awards in 1998
Mel C’s stamp, showing her at the Brit Awards in 1998 (PA)

The release comes as Mel B (AKA Scary Spice) once again teased a potential Spice Girls reunion in 2024.

Appearing on US chat show Today with Hoda & Jenna, the singer and author was asked about the chances of another reunion, after she, Chisholm, Bunton and Horner played a string of shows around the UK in 2019.

“I’ve been saying it forever. But now we’re actually going to be releasing some really good news in about a few weeks that involves all five of us,” Brown said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in