Bank of England reveals first banknotes featuring King Charles III

The Bank of England has no doubt delighted royal fans after it revealed images of the the first bank notes to feature King Charles III.

The portrait of the King will appear on existing designs of all four polymer banknotes (£5, £10, £20 and £50), with his image appearing on the front of the note as well in cameo in the see-through security window.

The new notes will begin circulation by mid-2024, with the current banknotes carrying the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II to remain legal tender.

Bank of England’s Governor Andrew Bailey said he was “very proud” that the Bank of England is releasing the new design featuring King Charles III.

“This is a significant moment, as The King is only the second monarch to feature on our banknotes. People will be able to use these new notes as they start to enter circulation in 2024,” Bailey said.

In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II became the first Monarch to be featured on a Bank of England banknote.

 

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Following the unveiling, royal fans were quick to react to the new design.

“What a beautiful portrait of King Charles III. So beautiful great work bank of England,” one person wrote.

“It would be nice, if both of them appear as she is also the Queen.”

“Welcome King, it’s worth waiting for.”

“Looks nice.”

The unveiling of the new banknote follows the United Kingdom’s Royal Mint recently revealing the official effigy of King Charles III that will not only feature as part of a coin collection honouring the late Queen Elizabeth but will also appear on coins following King Charles’ official ascension to the throne.

Sticking with royal tradition, King Charles’ portrait will face left as each new Monarch is required to face the opposite direction from their predecessor.

 

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While announcing the new coin, the Royal Mint conveyed their “honour to now strike the first UK effigy of His Majesty King Charles III”.

“Today we are honoured to reveal the first official effigy of His Majesty King Charles III appearing for the first time on a memorial coin collection honouring the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II,” the Royal Mint said in a statement.

“At The Royal Mint, we have struck coins for the British monarchy for more than 1,100 years, and it has been our pride and privilege to strike every United Kingdom coin of Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable 70-year reign. It is our honour to now strike the first UK effigy of His Majesty King Charles III on a coinage collection honouring the life and legacy of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.”