What happens to money, stamps and passports following the death of Queen Elizabeth II?

What happens to money, stamps and passports following the death of Queen Elizabeth II?
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 09/09/2022

- 15:39

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:40

During Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign, her image has been used on many everyday items such as cash, stamps and passports

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral aged 96 on Thursday.

And following her death, many of the items that show her image will eventually show the face of King Charles III instead.


Such a change will include cash but could take years to come into circulation.

While current coins show Queen Elizabeth II facing to the right, the new tender will see the King facing to the left.

Stamps and cash featuring the face of Queen Elizabeth II
Stamps and cash featuring the face of Queen Elizabeth II
PA

The Queen has died aged 96
The Queen has died aged 96
Kirsty O'Connor

This is due to a tradition that has been around since the 17th century, which sees successive monarchs facing the opposite way to one another.

Before the new coins are brought into circulation, they need to be designed, minted and printed.

The Royal Mint advisory committee will send their thoughts for the new coins to the Chancellor, which also must be given a royal approval.

The final coins are decided firstly by the Chancellor and then the King.

New stamps will also be created which feature the King on them, with His Majesty also getting the approval on the designs.

While post boxes featuring Queen Elizabeth II are unlikely to be removed, any new boxes are expected to include the King’s name.

New passports will be issued in King Charles’ name, while Her Majesty's Passport Office will become His Majesty's Passport Office.

The heartbreaking news was announced on Thursday, as the flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half mast at 6.30pm.

A statement read: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

"The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

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