Currency notes bearing the portrait of King Charles III are now in circulation in the United Kingdom to replace that of the late Queen Elizabeth.
The BBC reported that the new Bank of England notes will gradually replace those old notes which are damaged or will be issued when demand increases.
The old notes which had the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II since 1960 were replaced with King Charles since his ascension to the throne and he is the second monarch to appear on the notes.
Shoppers can still use circulating £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes carrying the portrait of the late Queen.
The reverse side of current polymer Bank of England banknotes, which in ascending order feature Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing, are unchanged. Notes issued in Scotland and Northern Ireland feature other images, not the monarch.
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. The King’s portrait is based on a picture taken in 2013.
The Governor of the Bank of England while showing the currency to His majesty expressed his delight that for the first time since its inception a new sovereign portrait is on the notes and assured citizens that a higher portion will be in circulation soon.
Read also: Foreign airlines lost over 50% trapped funds to Africa’s currency devaluation IATA
“This is a historic moment, as it’s the first time we’ve changed the sovereign on our notes,” said Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey.
“We know that cash is important for many people, and we are committed to providing banknotes for as long as the public demand them.”
