King Charles III new monogram revealed
The monogram will appear on government buildings, state documents, and post boxes
Last updated 27th Sep 2022
King Charles ’s new monogram has been revealed today. Charles' monogram will appear on government buildings, state documents and on some post boxes in the coming months and years.
The cypher features the King's initial C intertwined with the letter R for Rex - Latin for King - with III within the R denoting Charles III, with the crown above the letters.
The new monarch travelled to Scotland soon after the Queen's funeral last Monday, with the period of royal mourning lasting for seven days after the late Queen's burial.
The monogram is Charles' personal property and was selected by the monarch from a series of designs prepared by the College of Arms. A Scottish version features the Scottish Crown, and was approved by Lord Lyon King of Arms.
It will be used by government departments and by the Royal Household for franking mail and the decision to replace cyphers will be at the discretion of individual organisations.
The process will be a gradual one and in some instances the cyphers of previous monarchs can still be seen on public buildings and street furniture especially post boxes.
The College of Arms, which designed the cyphers, was founded in 1484 and is responsible for creating and maintaining official registers of coats of arms and pedigrees.
The heralds who make up the College are members of the Royal Household and act under Crown authority.
What changes now Charles is 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.