The Bank of England announced on Wednesday that banknotes featuring the image of King Charles will be circulated in Britain starting June 5, following the unveiling of their design over a year ago. The king's image will appear on polymer banknotes of five, ten, twenty, and fifty British pounds, which will coexist with the existing notes bearing the image of the late Queen Elizabeth.
The Bank of England clarified that these new banknotes will only be printed to replace damaged currency and to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes. The bank stated that this approach aligns with the guidelines of the royal family and aims to minimize the environmental and financial impacts of the change.
Additionally, the Bank of England noted that this means that the new banknotes featuring the 75-year-old king, known for his environmental conservation efforts, will be issued "very gradually." Charles ascended the throne following Queen Elizabeth II, who held the position for seventy years and passed away in 2022, making him the second king to appear on Bank of England banknotes. The Royal Mint began issuing the first coins featuring the king in late 2022.
