A new British passport, described as the most secure ever produced, has entered circulation featuring King Charles III's coat of arms on the front cover. The design replaces the coat of arms of the late Queen Elizabeth II, which had remained on the cover since the king's accession.
The interior pages depict scenic landscapes from all four nations of the UK: Ben Nevis in Scotland, the Lake District in England, the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, and Three Cliffs Bay in Wales. The passport's colour scheme remains dark blue, a change made in 2020 following Brexit.
Enhanced security features include advanced anti-forgery holographs and translucent pages, making the document easier to verify but harder to forge or alter. The Home Office confirmed that 300 of the new passports are already in circulation.
Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp said: 'I'm proud to see our new British passports in circulation. Featuring His Majesty's coat of arms and landscapes from all four nations, they celebrate our heritage while delivering enhanced security. They are also the most secure British passports ever produced, helping us protect our borders and deliver outstanding public service.'
The first modern British passport was produced in 1915, with the first watermark security measure added in 1972. Since then, dozens of additional security features have been incorporated, including complex patterns and details visible only under UV light.
Existing passports with the late queen's coat of arms remain valid until their expiry date. The change follows the introduction of banknotes featuring King Charles in June 2024 and stamps with his silhouette in March 2023.
