Kruti Dave, Pune
The UK government has declared that King Charles III will be the name on British passports starting this week, which will be the first time “His Majesty” has been used on the documents in more than 70 years.
The former type of passport will gradually be phased away once the stock containing “Her Majesty” has run out. Existing passports are still valid. This aligns with Royal Mail’s strategy, which calls for using up all of the late Queen’s stamps overtime at the king’s desire to prevent wastage.
“For 70 years, Her Majesty has been presented on British passports, and many of us cannot recall a time when she did not. The first British passports to include the title of His Majesty, the King since 1952 are issued today, marking a momentous event in UK history,” said UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
The earliest known British passport dates to the reign of Henry V in 1414, when the papers were referred to as safe conduct. The first British passports with a portrait and signature in the present design weren’t issued until 1915.
Since then, a wide range of security features—including holograms, intricately printed patterns, and the polycarbonate page—have been added to British passports. This is meant to reassure British citizens that their special document has only been issued once.
“As HM Passport Office embarks on a new chapter in its history, it is providing remarkable service. I deeply appreciate their outstanding achievements and the team’s unshakable commitment to serving the requirements of the British public. Even if there have been significant changes, I nevertheless urge the public to make sure they apply for passports promptly,” she said