Passports with a glorious history

THE earliest recorded British passports known as ‘safe conducts’ were created in 1414 under the reign of Henry V.

Each document had to be signed by the monarch. Initially they were written in English and Latin, but after 1778 they were issued in French which was the language of diplomacy at the time.

The first modern-style British passport, including a photograph and signature, was issued in 1915 during the First World War.

It consisted of a single page, folded into eight and held together with a cardboard cover. It also included a personal description, including details such as ‘shape of face’, ‘complexion’ and ‘features’.

Six years later the first blue passport was issued. It had 32 pages in the format of a book and was still written in French.

A special watermark was introduced in 1972 followed by laminated photos three years later, the first of many security features. Burgundy passports started in 1988, after the Government followed the common format introduced by the then European Economic Community. Biometric passports were launched in 2006 with an electronic chip featuring the holder’s data.

From 1794 all passports began to be issued by the Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, now known as the Foreign Secretary.

It is believed this may be the origin of the phrase, printed in all passports: ‘Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.’

‘Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.’ The famous guarantee to Britons abroad