Headlines
Wildlife to replace humans on next series of UK banknotes
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 11, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 11, 2026
Quick Summary
The Bank of England plans to feature native wildlife on its next series of banknotes—alongside King Charles III—replacing historical portraits upon strong public preference for nature over figures or landmarks.
Wildlife Selected to Feature on Next Generation of UK Banknotes
Bank of England Announces Shift to Nature-Themed Banknotes
Introduction of Wildlife Imagery
LONDON, March 11 (Reuters) - Images of animals will feature on the next series of banknotes from the Bank of England, as the central bank shifts away from historical figures such as William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill and Jane Austen over the coming years.
Rationale Behind the Change
Authentication and Representation
"Nature is a great choice from a banknote authentication perspective and means we can showcase the UK's rich and varied wildlife on the next series of banknotes," Victoria Cleland, the BoE's chief cashier, said.
Historical Context
Bank of England banknotes have featured monarchs since Queen Elizabeth first appeared on one in 1960, while Shakespeare was the first historic figure to appear in 1970.
King Charles' portrait will continue to appear on the next series of notes as well, the BoE said.
Public Consultation and Theme Selection
Consultation Process
The BoE held a consultation on a change to the design of banknotes in July 2025, inviting views from the public.
Results of the Consultation
The theme of nature was supported by 60% of the 44,000 responses, narrowly beating the category of "architecture and landmarks" on 56% and "notable historical figures" on 38%. Other categories included "arts, culture and sport", "innovation" and "noteworthy milestones".
Details on the New Banknotes
Wildlife Selection Criteria
The new notes will feature wildlife native to the United Kingdom and will not include household pets, the BoE said. It plans to run a second consultation in the coming months asking for the public's views on specific animals to feature on the notes taken from a list created by British wildlife experts.
Other Banknote Issuers
The BoE is not the only producer of banknotes in the United Kingdom. Notes are also produced by seven commercial banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Suban Abdulla; editing by William Schomberg and David Milliken)
Key Takeaways
- •The Bank of England's July 2, 2025 consultation revealed 60% support for a nature-themed redesign—beating architecture (56%) and historical figures (38%)
- •King Charles III’s portrait will remain on the obverse, while reverse designs will showcase UK wildlife, excluding household pets
- •Other UK note issuers (in Scotland and Northern Ireland) already incorporate nature themes—e.g., RBS £20 features red squirrels; Ulster Bank previously issued ‘living in nature’ designs
Frequently Asked Questions about Wildlife to replace humans on next series of UK banknotes
1What will replace historical figures on future UK banknotes?
Images of wildlife native to the United Kingdom will replace historic figures on the next series of Bank of England banknotes.
2Will the King's portrait still appear on new UK banknotes?
Yes, King Charles' portrait will continue to appear on the next series of UK banknotes.
3How did the Bank of England decide on the new wildlife theme?
A public consultation in July 2025 showed 60% support for a nature theme, slightly ahead of other categories like architecture and historical figures.
4Will household pets be featured on the new banknotes?
No, the new notes will only feature wildlife native to the UK and will not include household pets.
5Are other UK banks also changing to wildlife banknotes?
The article notes that seven commercial banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland also produce banknotes, but it focuses on the Bank of England's changes.
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