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Royal symbols that will need to change now Charles is King

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WITH the passing of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, many goods and titles will have to change so they no longer bear the Queen’s symbols, but will display her son and heir, King Charles III. 

Here are some of the changes that will need to go ahead now that Charles has been appointed King.

Money 

There are 4.5bn sterling bank notes in circulation around the UK with the Queen’s face on them. They are estimated to be worth a combined £80bn.

New coins and notes will need to be designed and minted or printed. 

They are not expected to appear in circulation for some time. Replacement of the new coins and notes are likely to take two years. 

Coins displaying Elizabeth II did not appear until a year after her accession to the throne and notes with her majesty’s face took eight years to finally reach circulation.

Coins that will feature the new King will show him facing to the left, whereas Queen Elizabeth faced to the right. 

This tradition began in the 17th century to alternate the way successive monarchs are facing.

Elizabeth II’s coins are expected to stay in use until they are gradually replaced.

The Queen’s head also features on some $20 banknotes in Canada, on coins in New Zealand, and on all coins and notes issued by the Eastern Caribbean central bank, as well as other parts of the Commonwealth.

Stamps

The new King will soon begin to feature on stamps in Britain and others in the Commonwealth. 

It is likely that Charles III has already sat for such sculptures and portraits. He will need to approve the design before the new stamps are available for use. 

Postboxes

New postboxes could feature the new King’s cypher. Currently, postboxes across the country display Elizabeth II’s ERII cypher. 

70 years later, some postboxes with King George VI’s GR cypher remain in use today.

Queen’s Council

In the UK, Queen’s Counsel (QC) refers to a set of barristers and solicitors who the monarch appoints to be a part of Her Majesty’s Counsel learned in the law.

The title switches to King’s Counsel (KC) now a king reigns.

In criminal court cases, the R to denote the Crown now stands for Rex rather than Regina (queen).

Stationery and business cards may need to be reprinted to reflect the change in the post-nominal letters.

The English national anthem

The words of the English national anthem will change from “God save our gracious Queen” to “God save our gracious King” with substitutions of “him” and “he”.

This is a matter of tradition and is not law.

Passports

The King no longer needs his own passport. As for the rest of the UK, passports will be issued in his name.

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

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

Cyphers

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.

Flags

Thousands of flags emblazoned with EIIR will need to be replaced, from those flying outside police stations across the UK to the standard used on a naval ship when a general is on board.

Military regiments fly “Queen’s colours,” many of which are embroidered with a gold EIIR; the fire service ensign includes her initials; and countries where the Queen remains head of state, such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, have personal flags for the Queen that are flown when she visits.

While the Royal Standard represents the Sovereign and the United Kingdom, the Queen’s own flag was unique to her and could only be flown by her.

It is possible that the royal standard (the quartered flag that flies wherever the monarch is in residence) could also change. The version used by the Queen includes one quarter representing Scotland (a lion rampant), one for Ireland (a harp), and two representing England (three lions passant), however, there is no symbol for Wales.

As Charles III will need a new personal flag as King, he may incorporate a Welsh element.

Crime

Police investigate suspicious disappearance of white-tailed eagle in mid Wales

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Appeal launched after satellite tag is found cut from bird and dumped on remote moorland

POLICE and wildlife crime officers are investigating the suspicious disappearance of a satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle in mid Wales after its tracking device was found cut off and deliberately hidden.

Dyfed-Powys Police is working alongside the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) following the disappearance of the juvenile bird in the Newtown area.

Officers say the satellite tag and harness were recovered from remote moorland and show clear signs of having been removed from the bird using a sharp instrument, most likely a knife, before being concealed in an apparent attempt to dispose of the evidence.

Despite searches in the area, the body of the eagle has not yet been located.

Police are now appealing for information from anyone who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed suspicious activity.

Investigators are particularly keen to hear from people who were:

  • At or around Gwgia Reservoir, Tregynon, between 11:00am and 1:00pm on Saturday (Sept 13)
  • On access land near Bryn y Fawnog between midday and 3:00pm on the same day

All potential lines of enquiry are being pursued, including detailed forensic examination for DNA and fingerprints.

Police are working closely with the tag owners, the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, and Forestry England to analyse tracking data and support the investigation.

The disappearance is being treated as a serious wildlife crime. The persecution of birds of prey remains a national policing priority, with species such as white-tailed eagles, golden eagles and hen harriers fully protected by law.

Satellite tags are widely used for conservation and research purposes, providing vital information about bird movements and survival. Each tag carries contact details so that any recovered device can be returned directly to researchers.

Members of the public who enjoy the countryside are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving birds of prey or their habitats.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by calling 101 quoting reference 25000766626. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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News

£6m Development Bank funding backs new St Clears housing scheme

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Twenty-nine energy-efficient homes nearing completion at Priory Fields development

A MAJOR housing development in St Clears is nearing completion after receiving £6 million in funding from the Development Bank of Wales.

The investment has supported the second phase of the Priory Fields development, led by West Wales housebuilder Obsidian Homes and backed through the Wales Residential Property Fund.

Phase two of the scheme, located to the west of High Street, will deliver 29 new homes. These include seven two-bedroom semi-detached houses, 13 three-bedroom semi-detached properties and nine four-bedroom detached homes.

The latest phase follows the completion and sale of 23 homes during phase one, which finished in early 2024 and was also funded by the Development Bank of Wales.

Obsidian Homes, which now employs around 40 people locally, is leading construction on the site. The company said most of its workforce lives within 10 to 15 miles of the development, supporting employment across the St Clears and wider Carmarthenshire area.

All of the homes are being built using modern timber-frame construction and have been designed to be highly energy efficient. Each property is expected to achieve an A-rated EPC score of around 94 per cent, with features including solar photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging points, high-performance insulation and low-impact building methods.

Huw Morgan, co-director of Obsidian Homes, said the project had personal significance, as he grew up close to the site.

He said: “Delivering high-quality homes on our doorstep means a lot to us. In St Clears we’ve already completed over 20 units, with more finishing soon, and the feedback from residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Being able to walk through the site and see people settled and happy in their homes is incredibly rewarding.”

Co-director Paul Rees said maintaining a strong local workforce was central to the company’s approach.

He said: “We now employ around 40 people directly — including our own groundworkers, plumbers, carpenters and bricklayers — and almost all of them live locally. Being able to sustain that level of employment across our schemes is a major part of who we are, and developments like this help reinforce our reputation for quality.”

Karl Jones and Rob Good, property development executives at the Development Bank of Wales, said the scheme was meeting strong demand for housing in the area.

They said: “This project delivers much-needed, high-quality homes in a popular and established community. The strong local supply chain, commitment to sustainable construction and consistent track record of delivery make it a scheme we’re very pleased to support.”

The Development Bank of Wales provides residential, mixed-use and commercial property development finance ranging from £150,000 to £10 million through funds including the Wales Residential Property Fund and the Green Development Incentive.

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Crime

Teenager faces multiple charges after series of alleged incidents

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Youth accused of assaults on police, criminal damage and railway trespass

A TEENAGE boy has appeared before the courts charged with a series of alleged assaults, public order offences and criminal damage incidents said to have taken place in Haverfordwest over several days in December.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, is accused of multiple offences alleged to have occurred between Wednesday (Dec 11) and Monday (Dec 16).

The charges include several counts of assault by beating, obstructing or resisting a police officer, using threatening or abusive behaviour, and criminal damage involving property valued at under £5,000.

It is alleged that a number of the incidents involved police officers acting in the execution of their duty. One charge relates to alleged trespass on or near a railway, while another concerns an arrest for an alleged breach of the peace.

The teenager appeared before the Youth Court, where reporting restrictions were confirmed under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, preventing the publication of any information likely to identify him.

The court made further directions in the case, and the youth was remanded on conditional bail pending future hearings.

The case remains ongoing.

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