What changes now Charles is King?
What happens to our money, passports and post boxes?
Last updated 12th Sep 2022
Queen Elizabeth II has been part of our daily lives for many decades, from passports to postage stamps, Her Majesty's image or name is printed on many things we have and use. So what will change now Charles is King?
Money, passports and postage stamps are just some of the things that will be changing in the years to come.
Most of these changes will take years to happen, although some are immediate.
What will happen to money, stamps and passports now we have a new King?
Will passports change now we have a King?
The inside of new British passports currently names 'Her Majesty', this will eventually change to say "His Majesty."
Despite this change, all current British passports will still be valid for travel until they expire.
Will money stop having the Queen's head on?
Bank notes will eventually start to display King Charles' portrait as opposed to Queen Elizabeth II.
This change will be introduced slowly as coins and notes withdraw from circualtion.
One thing we do know is that traditionally when there is a new monarch, the direction they face on coins swaps, which means when the new coins are minted, King Charles' head will face to the left.
Will postboxes change?
Postboxes installed during the Queen's reign display the letters 'EIIR' which stands for Elizabeth II Regina.
This will change to represent King Charles, but only when new postboxes are created so it could be some time until we see one of those.
Will King Charles be on our stamps?
Postage stamps currently show the head and face of Queen Elizabeth II. This will eventually change to King Charles'.
Current stamps will continue to be useable for a long time yet though.
The Queen's council will now become the Kings council
Leading barristers in the Queen's council have already announced the change to become the King's council.
The Queen's Speech
The Queen's Speech is the central part of the State Opening of Parliament, which happens when Parliament reassembles after a general election and then at the start of each Parliamentary session. This task will now be handed to King Charles and will be called the King's Speech.
God Save the King
The UK national anthem has been 'God Save the Queen' for so long, it's going to be tough to get used to singing and hearing a new one, but we will have to as the words will now reflect the fact we have a King.