Published
By Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent
King Charles came face to face with his own face on the new banknotes which will go into circulation in June.
At Buckingham Palace, the King was presented with the first of the new £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes which will show his portrait.
It follows the tradition of the monarch receiving the first issues of new banknotes.
The existing banknotes, from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, will continue to be used alongside the new notes.
King Charles has not been taking part in big public engagements since his cancer diagnosis, but has continued his participation in private events, such as this meeting where he was shown the banknotes by Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England.
Mr Bailey told the King this was the first time the Bank of England had had to change the monarch on the banknotes - as the late Queen Elizabeth II had been the first monarch to have her portrait on all of the Bank of England's banknotes.
"This is what is so surprising. You would think that it goes back," said King Charles.
The King, who was presented with a set of notes with 00001 serial numbers, described the design as "very elegant".
The new polymer banknotes show an engraving of King Charles based on a picture taken in 2013. Unlike the notes of his mother's reign, the King is not wearing a crown.
The banknotes mark one of the last major steps of the transition to the reign of King Charles, with new stamps and coins already in circulation.
The Bank of England says there will be a gradual introduction for the King Charles banknotes, with the current Queen Elizabeth notes remaining in use until they become worn or damaged.
So even though the new notes are being launched on 5 June, it could be some months before people see them in regular circulation, says the bank.
Image source, PA Media
The trend towards cashless payments could also mean that the change in notes is not immediately visible.
The first new banknotes were printed last year, with the long lead-in time allowing automated machines that accept cash to be updated to recognise the new designs.
What's changed so far?
Coins December 2022: Millions of 50p coins with the King's image entered circulation. Other new coin designs, such as a bee on the pound coin, were introduced towards the end of 2023.
Stamps March 2023: The first King Charles stamps were issued by Royal Mail as part of a special set. The following month, the new regular first and second-class stamps were issued, showing the King without his crown.
Passports July 2023: British passports in the name of "His Majesty" rather than "Her Majesty" were issued.
Official portrait January 2024: Public buildings, such as town halls and courts, were offered an official photo of the monarch, taken at Windsor Castle.
Tudor crown February 2024: King Charles's preferred design of crown was introduced in places such as the gov.uk website and official buildings.
Banknotes June 2024: The Bank of England will issue £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes with the King's portrait, based on a picture taken in 2013
Postboxes: Postboxes are only changed when they are damaged or scheduled for extensive repair, meaning there are still examples from Queen Victoria's reign. This looks likely to be one of public symbols slower to change.
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