King Charles will not feature on new Australian $5 note and tweeted support to New Zealand

King Charles may not be the new royal face on Australia’s $5 banknote but that didn’t stop him sending a heartfelt message to flood-stricken New Zealand.

King Charles will not feature on Australia’s new $5 note, following a decision by The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

The late Queen’s portrait on the current five dollar bill will be replaced with a tribute to indigenous Australians.

In a statement RBA said: “This decision by the Reserve Bank Board follows consultation with the Australian government, which supports this change.

“The Bank will consult with First Australians in designing the $5 banknote.

“The new banknote will take a number of years to be designed and printed.

“In the meantime, the current $5 banknote will continue to be issued. It will be able to be used even after the new banknote is issued.”

Australia's central bank announced on February 2, 2023 it will erase the British monarch from its banknotes, replacing the late Queen Elizabeth II's image on its $5 note with a design honouring Indigenous culture. Picture: AFP

It comes as King Charles sent his “thoughts and prayers” to people affected by flooding in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s finance minister Grant Robertson described the disaster as probably the “biggest non-earthquake event” in the country’s history.

Four people were killed in landslides and flash floods in the nation’s biggest city.

The Royal Family tweeted: “The King has sent a message to all those affected by the flooding in New Zealand.

The King has sent a message to all those affected by the flooding in New Zealand.

🔗Read His Majesty’s message in full on our website: https://t.co/4V8Drkw5tbpic.twitter.com/XYMsZsUBex

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 2, 2023

In part, the message reads: “It is with the deepest concern that I have been following news of the flooding and severe weather affecting several regions in Aotearoa New Zealand. My wife and I send our heartfelt sympathy to the families of those who have lost their lives, and our thoughts are with the many others whose lives have been so terribly impacted by events. I have long admired the strength and resourcefulness of New Zealanders, and I send my thoughts and prayers to all those who are supporting response and recovery efforts to help people repair or restore homes, businesses and lives.”

Read His Majesty’s message in full here which includes a motto in Maori.

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort light a candle at Buckingham Palace to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images

In further evidence of King Charles’ tender side, royal expert Angela Levin told OK! Magazine how King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla bonded and felt comfortable around each other immediately, in their youth.

Ms Levin said: “They got on extremely well, and it was very easy and natural. They had a lot in common, such as a love of the countryside and horses, and shared a great sense of humour.

“From the beginning they felt entirely comfortable with each other. He was quite shy and studious, but she really did listen to him. He said she was the only person he could really talk to.

“Charles felt he was a bit of a disappointment to his parents because he liked gardening and art, whereas his father Prince Philip was upset he wasn’t more macho, playing football and rugby. But Camilla found him very interesting – and still does.”