Police will still wear old royal cypher on uniforms at throning
OFFICERS policing the King’s Coronation will do so with the late Queen’s royal cypher still on their uniforms, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
The Metropolitan Police said that the Home Office had instructed them not to begin changing the design until they were told to do so.
The force said it had also been advised not to change the uniforms unless they need replacing.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, emblems will no longer feature the EIIR cypher and should be changed to that of King Charles, combining his initial “C” with “R” for Rex, the Latin word for king, and III.
When approached, the Home Office said the responsibility for the change lay with individual forces, or with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). The NPCC, and a number of other forces, said queries should be directed to the Cabinet Office.
However, the Cabinet Office said it was not responsible and pointed The Telegraph towards the Home office. But a spokesman for the Met eventually clarified their understanding and said current guidance advised it only to change the uniform when the clothing was worn out.
“Uniform designs were provided by the Home Office in January 2023, however, they came with the instruction not to take any action until further guidance is received, this is still awaited,” the spokesman said.
“Once we have the go-ahead, there will not be a mass rollout as Home Office guidance advises to take a no-cost or low cost and minimal waste approach to any change.
“Therefore we will only update as part of normal renewal processes or wear and tear.”
A number of forces have not yet updated the logo on their website with Gwent Police, Merseyside Police and Dorset Police, among others, all still featuring the late Queen’s cypher.