New coin featuring King Charles unveiled as Princess Kate visits Royal Navy

The Royal Mint has revealed the official coin featuring an effigy of the new monarch as Kate stuns in navy at her first solo engagement since becoming the Princess of Wales.

The first coins to feature the effigy of King Charles III have been unveiled as Catherine, the Princess of Wales, stunned in navy during her first solo visit in her new role.

The Royal Mint in the UK released the first look at the official effigy of the new Monarch on Friday, announcing the coins will start to circulate in the coming months.

The design, which has been personally approved by King Charles III, was sculpted by Martin Jennings and will appear on commemorative 50 pence and £5.

Chief executive officer of The Royal Mint Anne Jessopp said they were honoured to keep the effigy tradition going over a thousand years.

The Royal Mint has unveiled the official coin effigy of King Charles III, designed by Martin Jennings. The first coins to bear The King’s portrait are a special £5 Crown and 50 pence commemorating the life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Royal Mint has been trusted to make coins bearing the Monarch’s effigy for over 1,100 years and we are proud to continue this tradition into the reign of King Charles III. Although technology has progressed, we continue to honour British craftsmanship passed down through the centuries,” Ms Jessopp said.

“Her Late Majesty ruled with heart and devotion for 70 years, and this memorial collection commemorates her remarkable legacy as Britain’s longest serving monarch. To ensure everyone can hold a piece of history in their hand, the 50p will also enter circulation in the UK.”

The Royal Mint has been sculpting coins bearing the Monarch's effigy for over one thousand years.

It comes after Princess Kate was back at work following the death of the Queen, meeting with members of the Royal Navy at Windsor Castle to discuss the construction of warship HMS Glasgow.

The senior royal was photographed speaking to members about the progress of the ship and life in the Navy.

Kate Middleton spoke to members of the Royal Navy at her first solo engagement as the Princess of Wales. Picture: Getty Images

Princess Kate met with members of The Royal Navy to discuss the construction of warship, HMS Glasgow. Picture: Getty Images

“A pleasure to meet some of the @RoyalNavy Ship’s Company of HMS Glasgow, learning more about their roles and what’s next on the route to getting her in the water,” the official Twitter account for the Prince and Princess of Wales shared with fans.

HMS Glasgow is under construction and will be the first Type 26 frigate to be built for the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy.

A multi-mission warship, HMS Glasgow has been designed to support anti-submarine warfare. HMS Glasgow is now expected to enter service in 2025.

The late Queen approved the appointment of the Princess of Wales as Sponsor of HMS Glasgow, a 21st century warship, in June 2021.