Is my passport valid now Queen has died? Will British passports change - Queen Elizabeth II message inside

The end of one reign and the start of another brings with it many changes for Britain.

Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle, Scotland on Thursday (8 September).

It comes after she spent 70 years on the throne, with her Platinum Jubilee being celebrated earlier in the year.

Elizabeth II has been replaced as monarch by King Charles III, the former Prince of Wales.

The transition from Queen to King will result in a lot of changes across British society.

Money, stamps, postboxes and more will also see differences following the introduction of a new monarch.

The King’s face will eventually replace the Queen’s on bank notes, coins and more.

British passports will also undergo a change due to accession of King Charles III.

Here’s all you need to know:

How will passports change with a new monarch?

Following the period of mourning in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the wording on passports will eventually begin to change.

In the future, new UK passports will be issued in the King’s name.

The wording in new passports will be changed at some point.

Her Majesty’s Passport Office will become His Majesty’s Passport Office, as is the case with HM Armed Forces and HM Prison Service.

Are current passports still valid?

If your passport remains in date, it will still be valid.

The change in the wording on passports will only happen when you get a new passport in future.

How will the message inside passports change?

The Queen’s message at the front of British passports will be changed following the change in monarch.

It currently reads: “Her Brittanic Majesty’s Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hinderance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.”

Does the King need a passport?

Charles III will no longer needs his own passport after becoming the British monarch.

What else will change following the death of the Queen?

Money

Over time the bank notes and coins will be introduced featuring the face of King Charles III.

Currency featuring the face of the Queen will remain valid, it has been confirmed.

Coins featuring the new King will show him facing to the left.

Elizabeth II’s effigy faces to the right.

It is a tradition from the 17th century to alternate the way successive monarchs are facing.

New coins and notes will need to be designed and minted or printed, but are not likely to appear in general circulation for some time.

The Royal Mint advisory committee needs to send recommendations for new coins to the Chancellor and obtain royal approval.

Designs are then chosen and the final choices approved by the Chancellor and then the King.

The Queen’s coins did not appear until 1953 – the year after her accession.

Cypher

The new monarch will need a new Royal Cypher – the monogram impressed upon royal and state documents.

The Queen’s ERII features on traditional police helmets and postboxes.

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

National Anthem

The words to the National Anthem have changed to “God save our gracious King” with substitutions of “him” and “he”.

This is a matter of tradition, not law.

You can see the full lyrics of the anthem - God Save Our King - in our article on the subject.