Advertisement

King Charles will replace Queen Elizabeth on Canada’s coins, $20 bills

Click to play video: 'Coronation of King Charles III: A new King is crowned in Westminster Abbey'
Coronation of King Charles III: A new King is crowned in Westminster Abbey
WATCH: Coronation of King Charles III - A new King is crowned in Westminster Abbey – May 6, 2023

The image of King Charles will eventually replace the queen on Canada’s $20 bill and its coins, the federal government announced during Saturday’s coronation events.

A news release from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government has directed the Bank of Canada to replace the likeness of the late Queen Elizabeth II with King Charles III during the next design process. It has also tasked the Royal Canadian Mint with designing coins depicting the new monarch that will go into circulation.

Click to play video: 'King Charles’ coronation: The pomp and pageantry'
King Charles’ coronation: The pomp and pageantry

Canada Post also released its first regular-circulation stamp featuring King Charles as monarch. It continues the corporation’s tradition of issuing definitive stamps depicting the Canadian sovereign, dating back more than 170 years.

Story continues below advertisement
The official stamp is unveiled by Donald Booth, right, Canadian Secretary to the King, right, and Jo-Anne Polak, Senior Vice-President, Corporate and Employee Communication at Canada Post during coronation celebrations in honour of King Charles III in Ottawa, on Saturday, May 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby. SC

The federal government honoured the coronation of Canada’s new head of state, with a ceremony of its own in the nation’s capital Saturday morning.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Elected officials and dignitaries attended the ceremony in Ottawa with speeches, musical performances and special unveilings.

In a speech, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc spoke of the monarchy’s place in Canada.

Click to play video: 'Coronation of King Charles III: Camilla crowned Queen'
Coronation of King Charles III: Camilla crowned Queen

“Millions of Canadians are witnessing the coronation of Canada’s sovereign for the first time in a country that is radically different from the one that witnessed the last coronation,” LeBlanc said.

Story continues below advertisement

“But as Canada evolves, so do its institutions, and so does the monarchy.”

Leaders of federal parties, including the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh and the Conservative party’s Pierre Poilievre, were absent from the event.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen Mary Simon were in London for the coronation, along with a Canadian delegation.

The Ottawa celebration included a diverse set of performers, including an Algonquin traditional drum group, the Eagle River Singers, and a fusion Celtic group from Charlottetown, Inn Echo.

Pure gold and silver collector coins from the Royal Canadian Mint that mark the coronation were also unveiled at the event.

Rideau Hall is open to the public this weekend for free activities, including viewing a recording the coronation ceremony and musical performances by members of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Sponsored content

AdChoices