What will British currency look like now?
Words Cyann Fielding
The Queen’s face has dominated the British currency for decades. However, now with the changing of the monarch also comes a new face to British currency. The process is a lengthy one, with approximately £4.5bn-worth of bank notes currently in circulation with the Queen’s face on, the matter of changing notes is no simple task.
Any new image that appears on money, would need the agreement and sign-off from Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Mint, who produces British currency, has worked with the Queen throughout her reign to create currency with five different portraits of her – each gained her personal approval. However, it is not yet certain or clear if we will see King Charles’ face on our currency anytime soon.
The Bank of England have remained relatively quiet on the matter – only stating that Queen Elizabeth II notes will remain to be considered as legal money that can be exchanged, and that any update on the country’s existing notes will be made ‘once the period of mourning is over.’
One thing that is for certain, is that if British currency is to change to show the face of King Charles, then his portrait will be facing the opposite direction to his mothers. Since the reign of King Charles II, it has been tradition to have the new monarch’s portrait face opposite directions to their predecessors. Hence, King Charles III would to be facing the left.
Whilst the change of monarch photo is to be expected on British currency, this change will neither be immediate or simple. Other currencies around the globe which also feature the Queen, will be due for a change – with Charles’s effigy to a appear on multiple other countries’ currencies.
The most likely outcome for the UK, is that legal tender will remain to have the Queen's portrait on it for many years to come. The process of changing money is a long and complicated process, meaning that currency with a portrait of King Charles II is not to be expected soon. Gradually, British currency will combine tender with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and tender with the portrait of King Charles III - which overtime well gradually become currency with only King Charles III portrait portrayed upon it.
The alteration of currency is not the only thing within the UK that will experience change because of the change in monarch. Stamps, post boxes, and the national anthem will all undergo a change to embrace and illustrate the new King - King Charles III.