16 Things That Have Changed Since Queen Elizabeth Died

Royal changes

The world is rapidly changing, and the monarchy is adapting," notes British royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams. " Beside the noticeable changes following Queen Elizabeth's passing, such as new currency, coins or post office boxes, we're also witnessing the monarchy make gradual strides in modernizing itself.

We're taking a close look at all the things that have changed since Britain's longest-serving monarch passed away.

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The line of royal inheritance

He is ranked fifth in line to the throne, even though it's extremely unlikely he would become king, since he is no longer active in royal work. His son, Prince Archie, is next in line, ranking sixth, and his daughter, Princess Lilibet, follows, ranking seventh.

The British national anthem

A custom long in place, "God Save the King." It wasn't surprising that it took most Brits and Commonwealth citizens some time to get used to a new line, given Queen Elizabeth's long reign – thank goodness the rest of the song remained unchanged. "God Save the King" was first performed in London back in 1745 and became Britain's official national anthem in the early 19th century. Like the American national anthem, it is primarily sung at official and royal celebrations and major sporting events.

The slimmed-down monarchy

," with the monarch and their spouse, and only four of them are under the age of 70." In other words, fewer royals attending official events means there are fewer personnel required, making the monarchy slightly smaller and cheaper.

The royal cypher

The Queen's code will gradually be used in place of her cypher where necessary. The royal cypher is also used to sign and cosign letters that originate from the royal household.

The monarch’s address

Located just a short distance from the large palace that holds more prestige. The couple moved into their current house in August 2003, shortly after the passing of the Queen Mother. They've made the unique decision to keep their address even after the official coronation, a tradition they've bucked compared to previous monarchs. However, that might change in the future. "Buckingham Palace is undergoing a decade-long renovation," says Fitzwilliams. "It is generally expected that King Charles will move there once the makeover is finished." Unfortunately, this means that the Queen's former residence is still several years away from being completed, in 2027. As a result, King Charles will likely get to enjoy his current home a bit longer, as he's grown quite fond of it over time.

Coins and banknotes

The current reigning monarch's face appears on U.K. coins and banknotes. Given this, it's clear the country's currency needs a refresh. New 50-pence coins featuring King Charles, which he's facing in the usual manner, have been in circulation since the end of 2022. Banknotes with the monarch's portrait will start showing up in the summer of 2024, according to the Bank of England. Charles's face will be featured on the front of and the clear security window of four banknotes: the £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes. However, this doesn't mean that older coins and banknotes showing Queen Elizabeth will become invalid. "Both versions will remain in circulation, with the older ones simply being phased out," states Fitzwilliams. This process aligns with King Charles's goal of minimizing the environmental and financial impact of the change. Currently, there are over 4.6 billion banknotes and nearly 29 billion coins in circulation in the U.K., according to the Royal Mint.

Stamps and post boxes

The new king does not wear a crown in the photo. King Charles, who is the seventh monarch to be featured on British stamps, will be succeeded by a portrait of his late mother for as long as the existing inventory lasts, with the first monarch on British stamps being Queen Victoria in 1840.

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The uniforms of the British armed forces and police helmets also display the royal cypher. However, King Charles's cost-cutting approach means that no new uniforms or headwear will be ordered until the old ones are completely worn out. This is why police staff at King Charles's coronation didn't wear the new emblem. "It will be years before all the uniforms and hats are replaced," Fitzwilliams says.

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Following King Charles' ascension to the throne, he made his first official trip as a monarch to Germany in March. During his three-day visit, he met with Ukrainian refugees, emphasized the importance of environmental sustainability, and demonstrated his knowledge of the German language. Originally scheduled for this month, a trip to France has been rescheduled for September.

Casual royal engagements

to follow.

Passports

She has been included on British travel documents, such as passports, since 1952, so most people in the UK have never had a travel document without her on it. Valid passports will still be legal, even if they change, as long as they're not expired after 10 years. This is the second time in just three years that the British passport is changing its design: This comes after the UK left the European Union, switching from the classic burgundy passport to the original blue one. And did you know that as the monarch, King Charles no longer requires a passport for international travel, since these documents are typically issued in his name.

Countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, which display the British monarch on their currency, will also be affected.

Charity work

Prince Charles has established over 20 official charities over the years and has supported hundreds more. However, since becoming king, he is decreasing his volunteer work. "The palace is currently reviewing connections to various organizations," says Fitzwilliams. "As king, Charles has less time for charity work and has fewer working royals available to represent him at charity events." While it's unclear which charities will be affected, there's no doubt he will continue to advocate for the causes he holds most important, namely environmental sustainability and protection.

Food at the palace

King Charles received praise from animal rights activists for signing an official letter to the PETA campaign group to confirm that he would ban foie gras from all royal palaces during his reign. Foie gras, a dish made from the livers of force-fed geese or ducks, would no longer be purchased or served. As an organic farmer, Charles had already stopped serving the dish at his properties over a decade ago. Media reports stated that the king has long promoted a plant-based diet for both animal rights and environmental reasons. "The business of what we eat is certainly important," he said in a BBC interview before becoming king. "For years, I haven't eaten meat and fish on two days a week and I don't eat dairy products on one day a week. If more people followed suit, it could make a significant impact on reducing the environment's strain."

The dish chosen by him for the day he became king, was vegetarian.

Environmental initiatives at the palace began with a strong commitment to reduce carbon emissions and waste. The palace implemented a comprehensive recycling program, going beyond the minimum requirements. A fleet of electric-only vehicles replaced the former fleet of cars and vans. The current fleet is expected to decrease emissions by 40%. In addition, the palace started investing in renewable energy to power the buildings, with a focus on sustainability and reduced carbon footprint.

Charles's efforts to tackle climate change don't stop with what he eats. As a long-time environmental activist, the king has made a number of environmentally conscious choices. “When Charles became king, he asked the staff to lower the thermostat settings in the royal palaces, especially in rooms that aren’t being used, and to stop heating the swimming pools,” states Fitzwilliams. He has reportedly replaced gas lamps with electric ones at his Clarence House residence, continues to recycle his bathwater, and runs his Aston Martin on sustainable fuel. “He is committed to reducing emissions and setting a good example for living more sustainably,” Fitzwilliams says.

The Commonwealth

Out of 14 Commonwealth countries, as well as the Commonwealth itself - an association of 56 independent countries - there have been some bumps in the road during his first year on the job. Jamaica and Belize were the first to express interest in ending their ties to the British monarch and becoming republics with their own leaders. Although nothing has happened yet, other Commonwealth countries might join their lead. "Time will tell what happens, but it's certainly a challenge for King Charles," says Fitzwilliams.

Citizenship ceremonies

If you plan to become a citizen of the UK, you now have to swear loyalty to King Charles III instead of Queen Elizabeth II. People over 18 are required to take this important promise in a citizenship ceremony before they receive their official documents. To remember the exact words to say, it's: "I, (name), swear by Almighty God that, on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors, according to the law." This change affects not just UK residents, but also people from the Commonwealth who reside in other parts of the world.

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About the expert

• He is one of Britain's most renowned royal experts. He has been following the lives of the royal family for decades and frequently shares his knowledge with media outlets globally.

Sources:

• : “Succession”
• : “National Anthem”
• The King's Cipher
• : “Reservicing Buckingham Palace”
• : “The King”
• : “The Commonwealth”
• King Charles reportedly planning 'more affordable' coronation and a 'scaled back' royal system
• : About Us
• Bills bearing the portrait of King Charles III
• : “Banknote statistics”
• British passports for the first time feature King Charles III as the issuing authority
• Circulating Coin Mintage Figures in the United Kingdom
• No Royal Crown for King Charles on New Stamp
• King Charles: Foie Gras Banned at Royal Residences
• Police must keep Queen Elizabeth's cipher until the uniforms are worn out
• What is the reason for the heating being reduced at Buckingham Palace?
• Is King Charles III a vegetarian or vegan considering the recent announcement about his coronation quiche?
• Jamaica and Belize are exploring the possibility of becoming republics by the time King Charles is formally crowned.
• : “Citizenship ceremonies”