One of the major changes that
residents of Britain can anticipate is the changing of our banknotes, coins,
stamps and more that feature a portrait of the reigning Head of State – and
here is what we know so far…
Following the Queen’s death on
Thursday 8 September 2022, money, coins and stamps currently in
circulation will be replaced with new ones to mark the ascension of the Prince
of Wales to the throne.
A new portrait of Charles will
be commissioned, from which millions of pounds’ worth of new currency will be
printed by the Royal Mint and distributed across the UK. According to PA Media,
coins featuring the new King will show him facing to the left – a marked change
as Elizabeth II’s effigy faces to the right on current legal tender.
The
Queen has featured on legal tender in the UK since the 1950s
It has been a tradition since
the 17th century to alternate the way successive monarchs are facing. New coins
and notes will need to be designed and minted or printed but are not likely to
appear in general circulation for some time. However, current banknotes and
coins featuring the portrait of the Queen will continue to be legal tender, the
Bank of England has confirmed.
The
Prince of Wales has become King following the death of his mother
A further announcement
regarding currency will be made later this month once the period of mourning
has been observed following Her Majesty’s death. It’s worth noting that
the Queen’s face did not begin to appear on coins until 1953 – the year after
her accession.
It’s not just British money
that is affected by the change as the Queen’s image features on the
currency of 35 countries worldwide – more than any other monarch. These
include Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Fiji and Cyprus, where she appears on some
notes and coins due to her position as head of the Commonwealth.
It’s likely they would also
have to undergo changes to their notes and coins too – however, this is down to
the individual jurisdiction of these nations.
How
will stamps change?
As with bank notes, King
Charles III will soon feature on British stamps as well as on some other
Commonwealth countries. The royal will approve the designs and may have
already sat for the portrait that will appear on the stamps.
The Queen was previously
photographed by Dorothy Wilding for her first two stamp portraits after
becoming monarch. She sat for the photograph three weeks after acceding to
the throne and again around two months later, finally approving the image in
May 1952 – and so we may expect a similar time frame from King Charles.
Will
passports change now we have a new monarch?
Yes, passports will change.
British passports currently reference Queen Elizabeth in the phrase:
“Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State requests and requires in the
name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass
freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and
protection as may be necessary.”
These will be updated to
reference the King, but there’s no need to get a new one until yours expired.
It will remain valid, despite a reference to the Queen.
