What will ER change to when Charles is King? What does Queen’s royal cypher mean - will it change on post box

Britain has its first new monarch in 70 years.

QueenElizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday (8 September) at the age of 96.

She had sat on the throne since 1952, following the death of her father King George VI.

Elizabeth II’s son Charles is now the new monarch and will be formerly proclaimed King at the Accession Council on Saturday (10 September) morning.

But the end of one reign and the start of another brings with it many changes.

From money to stamps, passports and even the national anthem.

The Royal cypher will also under go change following the accession of King Charles III.

Here is all you need to know:

What does ER mean?

ER, or EIIR, was the Royal cypher throughout the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

It was featured on postboxes, traditional police helmets, royal and state documents.

The cypher stood for Elizabeth Regina - with Regina being the Latin word for queen.

The use of II in the cypher was to signify that she was the second Queen Elizabeth - Elizabeth II.

However in Scotland EIIR was not used due to the country not recognising Elizabeth I at the time of her reign, being ruled by Mary Queen of Scots instead.

What will ER change to when Charles is King?

Following the accession of King Charles III there will be a new Royal cypher.

He will use CIIIR - standing for Charles III Rex.

Rex is the Latin word for king, ruler or monarch.

How will the cypher change?

As well as swapping from ER to CIIR, the cypher may also feature a different crown to the one used for Elizabeth II’s.

While English queens use the St Edward’s crown, or a variant of it, kings traditionally use the more rounded Tudor crown.

The cypher will be confirmed in due course.

Will the cypher change on postboxes?

The ER (or EIIR) cypher has been used on postboxes across the country throughout the reign of Elizabeth II.

It has not yet been confirmed, but any new postboxes could feature the new King’s cypher.