Bank of England to Feature British Wildlife on New Notes

The Bank of England announced on Thursday that the next series of its banknotes will feature images of British wildlife, replacing the historical figures that have appeared on the currency for more than 50 years, following strong public support in a recent consultation.

The decision marks a significant departure from tradition, where notes have showcased prominent Britons such as Winston Churchill, Alan Turing, Jane Austen and William Shakespeare. Officials at the central bank stated that the shift to nature-themed designs will highlight an essential part of the nation's heritage while enhancing security features to combat counterfeiting. The new notes will retain a portrait of the reigning monarch, King Charles III, continuing a practice that dates back to Queen Elizabeth II's appearance on banknotes in 1960.

The announcement stems from a public consultation launched in July 2025, which drew more than 44,000 responses through online surveys, emails and submissions from schools. Respondents overwhelmingly favored the wildlife theme, with 60 percent backing it as the primary motif. Architecture and landmarks came in a close second at 56 percent, followed by notable historical...