TAKE NOTE First King Charles banknotes enter circulation TODAY – how to get one

A small number of Post Offices are set to release the notes – we reveal where £5, £10 and £20 banknotes will be launched

THE first bank notes featuring King Charles III’s portrait are being released TODAY but only a lucky few will get their hands on them.

His Majesty’s portrait will appear on the existing designs of all four banknotes, with no other changes made.

The first bank notes featuring the portrait of King Charles III will be circulated today



The first bank notes featuring the portrait of King Charles III will be circulated todayCredit: PA

This is the first time the monarch featured on banknotes has been changed

This is the first time the monarch featured on banknotes has been changedCredit: AP

The switch from old notes will be gradual

The switch from old notes will be gradualCredit: PA

King Charles' image will feature on all four bank notes with no other changes

King Charles’ image will feature on all four bank notes with no other changes

The switch from currency featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II will be gradual.

New notes featuring the King’s portrait will only be issued to replace worn-out currency or to meet any increase in demand.

So, with more than 4.6billion notes in circulation, worth some £82billion, it could be some time before one lands in your wallet.

If you’re keen to be among the first to snap up one of the new-look notes the first to be released will be circulated from several Post Office branches today (June 5).

The chosen branches, which will have £5, £10 and £20 notes, are:

Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester
Fawcett Street, Sunderland
Slindon Street, Portsmouth
Pinfold Street, Birmingham
London Wall, City of London
Broadway, London
Station Rd, Great Massingham
Market Place, Tetbury
High Street, Minchinhampton
Peascod Street, Windsor
White Kennett Street, London
Park Street, Woodstock
The Buttermarket, Poundbury

Thousands more Post Office branches will receive the new-look currency over the coming days and weeks.

This is the first time the monarch featured on banknotes has been changed.

Although the Bank of England started to produce banknotes in the 17th century, King Charles’s mother was the first British sovereign whose image was featured, initially on a £1 paper note.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said: “We’re very pleased to be issuing the new King Charles banknotes.

“This is a historic moment, as it’s the first time we’ve changed the sovereign on our notes.

“We know that cash is important for many people, and we are committed to providing banknotes for as long as the public demand them. Bringing these new notes into circulation is a demonstration of that commitment.”