The Home Office announced that the first British passports bearing King Charles’s name will be issued this week.
From now on, British passports will use the title “His Majesty” instead of “Her Majesty,” marking the end of an era with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The last time “His Majesty” was used on a passport was during the reign of King George VI, which concluded in 1952.
Already this year, five million passports have been issued under the name of the late Queen. Interestingly, the King himself will not require a passport, as per convention. Monarchs do not need to carry passports for travel, as the document is issued in their own name.
The introduction of the updated passports is part of the ongoing transition in reigns, with the King’s head now appearing on stamps and some coins. Banknotes are scheduled to undergo changes starting next year.
Following the passing of the late Queen last September, a gradual transition has been underway to replace images and insignia with those of the new King. The process has been steady, with a focus on utilizing existing stocks to avoid a sudden and abrupt change.
The same approach will be taken for passports, using any existing supplies with “Her Majesty” until they are depleted, while simultaneously introducing the new version. The new passports will now feature the words:
“His Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of His Majesty…”
In addition, the previous “Her Majesty” passports will remain valid until their expiration date. Home Secretary Suella Braverman stated:
“For 70 years, Her Majesty has graced British passports, and for many of us, it’s hard to recall a time when she was not featured. Today marks a momentous occasion in UK history.”
Following issues with delays in passport issuance last year and industrial action this year, the Home Office now reports that 99% of passports are being issued within 10 weeks of application. UK passports, featuring photos and signatures, have been issued in their modern form since 1915. The first security watermark was added in 1972, and machine-readable passports were introduced in 1988.
In 2020, following the UK’s exit from the European Union, UK passports transitioned from the burgundy color used since 1988 to a dark blue shade. The change was described as a return to an “iconic blue,” leading to discussions on social media about the color of the new and old passports. Debates ensued over whether the pre-EU and post-EU versions were truly blue or black.