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The first British passports bearing the words ‘His Majesty’ will be printed this week, according to the Home Secretary, with Australian passports expected to follow suit.
This will be the first time in 70 years that the travel documents will feature the words, rather than ‘Her Majesty’, following King Charles’ ascension to the British throne.
“For 70 years, Her Majesty has appeared on British passports and many of us will not remember a time when she did not feature,” British Home Secretary Suella Braverman said in a statement.
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“Today marks a significant moment in UK history, as the first British passports since 1952 start featuring the title of His Majesty, the King.”
Royal reporters shared the news on Twitter along with photos of what the new passports will look like.
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“HIS Majesty’s Passport Office has this week started to print new British passports in his name,” wrote ITV’s Chris Ship.
“For the first time in 70 years, the salutation has been updated requesting and requiring ‘in the name of His Majesty’ that the bearer will be allowed to pass freely.”
This is the first time ‘His Majesty’ will be stated on British passports since Queen Elizabeth’s father King George VI’s reign, which ended in 1952.
The first page of the passport will now contain the following words under the Royal Arms: “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.”
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Royal Mail stamps bearing the Queen’s image will also be replaced with the King once stocks are exhausted.
It is understood King Charles asked that existing passports and stamps printed during his mother’s reign be used up before being replaced to prevent waste, in keeping with his conservation efforts.
Passports issued in the name of Queen Elizabeth will remain valid. Her Majesty’s Passport Office is also now known as His Majesty’s Passport Office.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed Australia will also implement the change.
It states on its website: ”The production and issuance of Australian passports will be unaffected by the death of Her Majesty the Queen. All current Australian passports remain valid.
“Australian passports will change in the future to reflect the accession of His Majesty King Charles III.”
King Charles is the only member of the British royal family who does not require a passport to travel.
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