The quirky reason why King Charles III’s portrait will face in the OPPOSITE direction on our new banknotes and coins
THE Queen reigned for seven decades and her portrait, name and even signature are all part of everyday life.
The face of Britain’s longest-serving monarch has adorned everything from coins to stamps and banknotes.
And the royal cypher ERII can be seen on passports, post boxes and police uniforms.
As Britain comes to terms with the loss and moves from the Elizabethan era into the “Carolean” — from Carolus, the Latin for Charles — we explain how this will impact the day-to-day trappings of our lives.
MONEY
THERE are 4.5billion bank notes — worth £80billion — and 29billion coins in circulation bearing the Queen’s head.
They will remain legal tender but be gradually phased out for a design chosen by the new king.
While the Queen’s image faces to the right, her son’s will face left due to a 17th-century tradition that the direction must alternate for each new monarch.
The Queen’s picture did not appear on notes until 1960, eight years after her ascension to the throne so it may take a while for Charles III tender to be minted.
Other nations where the Queen is head of state will phase out their money.
The Stock Exchange will close on the day of the funeral if it is declared a bank holiday.
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ROYAL FLAGS
THE Queen’s personal flag — featuring a gold E with the royal crown and roses on a blue background — will no longer be used.
The Royal Standard, with English, Scottish and Irish symbols, will change if Charles adds a Welsh element. The current one was in use before Wales had its own flag.
PASSPORTS
BRITONS will still be able to use their current passports for travel — even though they are issued on behalf of Her Majesty.
The wording inside the front cover will be changed to His Majesty in all new passports which are issued, meaning the old ones will disappear over time.
STAMPS
STAMPS with the Queen’s head will remain valid until the end of January 2023, the Royal Mail has said.
In the meantime new ones will no longer be produced and designs featuring King Charles will be commissioned.
The postal service also said the release of any special stamps, which already carry the Queen, will still go ahead but may be delayed.
When Elizabeth took the throne in 1952 a series of stamps called the Wilding Issues, featuring portraits taken by photographer Dorothy Wilding, were released within a couple of weeks of King George VI’s death.
They were used until 1971 when decimal currency was introduced.
POLICE AND MILITARY
THE Queen’s royal cypher — or monogram — on government buildings, military uniforms and police helmets will be changed.
It is likely King Charles will use CR or CRIII as his unique cypher. Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, Passport Office and Prison Service will become His Majesty’s.
ROYAL WARRANTS
GETTING a royal warrant — a seal of approval — is a big deal in business.
About 800 companies, such as Cadbury and Boots, were granted ones by the Queen.
But they will lose the right to use the royal coat of arms unless King Charles renews permission.
POST BOXES
DURING the Queen’s reign, Royal Mail marked its post boxes with ERII, which stands for Elizabeth Regina II.
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This will now most likely be CRIII — Charles Rex III — but it will take a long time to replace the 115,000 boxes dotted around the UK.
Royal Mail has said post boxes already in production or due to be installed will retain the Queen’s insignia.
