King Edward VIII agreed to the idea of Coronation stamps featuring Royal Castles at a meeting on 10 March 1936. While this was being considered, Royal Mail received artwork for a Coronation medal for the Royal Mint featuring a portrait of the King by Percy Metcalfe. The sculptor Eric Gill was invited to develop the designs. The King’s abdication on 11 December 1936 brought the whole exercise to an abrupt end.