The first British passports showing the name of His Majesty King Charles III have been issued this week as the UK continues its entry into the new Carolean era.
For more than 70 years, official travel documents were emblazoned with and supplied in the name of “Her Majesty” during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
The change marks the first time since 1952 that British passports have been issued under the title of “His Majesty” when the monarch was King George VI.
Speaking at the unveiling of the new passport, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said it marked a “new era in history”.
Ms Braverman said: “For 70 years, Her Majesty has appeared on British passports and many of us will not remember a time when she did not feature.
“Today marks a significant moment in UK history as the first British passports since 1952 start featuring the title of His Majesty, the King.”
While people issued with the new passport will have it issued in the name of the King, the King himself will not need to travel with a new passport.
King Charles does not own and does not require a passport when he travels now, he is King.
The reason is since passports are issued in the name of the monarch, he does not need a passport. When King Charles was Prince of Wales, he was required to have a passport.
The first page of the new passport features a representation of the Royal Arms and now features a different inscription.
All UK passports will now read: “His Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of His Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.”
The change in monarch does not invalidate current passports, the new documents will be introduced in a phased approach until the remaining stock featuring the words “Her Majesty” has gone.
The phased approach follows a similar strategy by the Royal Mail which continues to supply stamps featuring Queen Elizabeth II.
The decision to use up the remaining stamps featuring the late Queen was a decision taken by King Charles to ensure there was no waste.
Despite the gradual phasing out of old passports and stamps, some changes have been more immediate.
For example, Her Majesty’s Passport Office is now known as His Majesty’s Passport Office while Ms Braverman has called on people to apply for a passport well in advance as the Home Office processes passports.
Ms Braverman said: “While vast improvements have been made, I continue to urge the public to make sure they apply for passports in good time.”
According to figures from the Home Office, more than 99 percent of the five million passports processed were sent out within the standard UK service of 10 weeks in the first six months of 2023.
The high success rate came after a report by the Public Accounts Committee said hundreds of applicants had been let down by delays in 2022.
They said people had lost money spent on holidays and had been unable to travel for family emergencies because of the delays.
