Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, St. Lucia postmarked on June 2, 1978.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia lies about 200 miles north of Trinidad, between St. Vincent and Martinique. It is mountainous, the highest peak Morne Gimie rising to 3117 ft. Better known and more scenic are the peaks of Gros Piton and Petit Piton, volcanic cones soaring forested and spirelike from the crystal clear Carib- bean. Nearby is an active volcano, named Soufriere after its sulphurous springs. European interest in the island dates from the early 17th century, when British intrusion was so fiercely resisted by the native Caribs that settlers had twice to withdraw, and leave the island to the French, who eventually managed to take control. After changing hands many times, St. Lucia was finally captured by the British in 1803, and is now a self-governing associated state. The main export crop, the banana, has recently supplanted sugar, and the island is now developing fishing, brick-making and rum industries as well as tourism to broaden the economy.

This Coronation Anniversary set of stamps contains four designs (by Waddington) depicting ceremonial dress associated with the Coronation:

15c — Yeoman of the Guard and Life Guard. Not to be confused with the Beefeaters at the Tower, also in Tudor dress, the Yeomen were established by Henry VII as personal bodyguards to protect him on journeys, in the palace, and to taste his food in case of poison. The Life Guards form part of the Household Cavalry whose function is to guard the sovereign on state occasions.

20c — Groom and Postillion. Familiar from the many photographs of the Coronation, the Grooms accompany the eight horses that draw the Coronation Coach, walking one each side of each pair. The Postillions ride the nearside horses of the carriage teams.

50c — Footman and Coachman. The royal Footmen walked either side of the carriage in the Coronation Procession, and assisted the Queen and Duke descend at the end of the journey. Coachmen were to be seen on some royal coaches, but not on the Coronation coach itself.

$3 — State Trumpeter and Herald. The Trumpeters were the bearers of the 15 trumpets sounded during the Coronation ceremony, and at Heralds' Proclamations. Heralds, established by Richard III, arrange State Ceremonials and proclaim the Accession and the date of Coronation.