As we reported shortly after the passing of Queen Elizabeth last fall, the United Kingdom’s passport would require changes to reflect the monarchy under King Charles. With the King now ruling from the throne, that time has come.
On July 18, 2023, the U.K.’s government announced that, “New British passports will now bear the title ‘His Majesty’ for the first time since 1952.” The new monarch’s full title “His Majesty King Charles III,” will appear on passports issued starting this week.
British passports will now bear the title “His Majesty King Charles III.”
U.K. Home Secretary Suella 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.”
“Her Majesty” passports will be issued until supply is depleted
Passport applicants, however, won’t see the change right away. The existing supply of passports bearing reference to Her Majesty, the Queen, will be issued until the supply runs out. And, of course, all passports will remain valid until their stated expiry date. Five million passports have already been issued in 2023, under the name of the late Queen, BBC News reports.
The King himself will not need a passport to travel, since tradition dictates that the monarch does not have to carry a passport to travel, because it is a document issued in his own name.
Sources/References:
Gov.UK
BBC News
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