The King Charles banknotes are coming soon - here's what you need to know
The new King Charles banknotes have now been revealed, and they will soon be added into circulation.
The late Queen Elizabeth II's profile has been a staple of British coins and banknotes for decades, but the change of monarch means that newly printed money will begin to feature King Charles' face instead.
But don't worry, money featuring The Queen will still be valid when the new coins and banknotes are released!
Here's everything you need to know about the new currency, including what it looks like, when it will be in circulation and what will happen to existing notes. Plus, the key difference King Charles has made with his profile image...
What do the new King Charles banknotes look like?
The new coins and bank notes will look almost the same as those we have at the moment, the only difference being that the face of King Charles will replace that of Queen Elizabeth II.
This means that the new £5 will remain green, the £10 note orange, the £20 purple and the £50 red.
King Charles' face will be printed on one side of each note, while a smaller emblem of his headshot will also appear in the transparent security window.
In the image, King Charles faces head on, looking straight out from the banknote, rather than being in side profile. The most notable difference, however, is that he is not wearing a crown, as has always been tradition with monarchs of the past.
What are the new banknotes made from?
The new banknotes are made from the same polymer material as the most recent iterations of Queen Elizabeth II's money. Previously, banknotes were made from paper, but polymer is more durable so the notes last much longer than traditional paper money used to.
When will the King Charles coins and notes be in circulation?
While the designs of the new King Charles banknotes have been released, the money itself won't be available in circulation until mid next year (2024).
What will happen to The Queen's coins and notes?
Money featuring the profile of The Queen will remain in use as, according to the Bank of England, "the new banknotes will only be printed to replace those that are worn and to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes."
This decision was reportedly made in tandem with the Royal Family. "Our approach is in line with guidance from the Royal Household, to minimise the environmental and financial impact of this change," the bank said in a statement on its website.
Will The Queen's money still be valid?
Yes, you will still be able to use money with Queen Elizabeth II's face on it when the new King Charles banknotes come into use next year. "Banknotes featuring Queen Elizabeth II and the King will be in circulation at the same time," confirmed the Bank of England.
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