Why Queen Elizabeth's Name Is Still Being Used at Investiture Ceremonies Instead of King Charles

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The Royal Family also announced a change to the insignias being distributed

<p>Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty</p> Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour in June 2022

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour in June 2022

King Charles acceded the throne one year ago, but some aspects of his reign change are still in transition.

When investitures were held at Windsor Castle on Tuesday and Wednesday, Queen Elizabeth’s name was still on the boxes that held the medals. A close look revealed that they read, “By appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.” According to Gert’s Royals, this is because companies can continue to use the Queen’s Royal Warrant for two years after her death. The prestigious business accolade is the ultimate royal stamp of approval and is synonymous with the sovereign, who grants it.

Royal Warrants date back to the 18th century, allowing companies that have provided goods or services to the Royal Household for at least five years to use the Royal Arms (the British monarch’s crest), as spotted on the boxes. King Charles, 74, has yet to issue his own Royal Warrants as monarch, and the “Her Majesty” stock will likely be used until it runs out for sustainability’s sake.

<p>ANDREW MATTHEWS/POOL/AFP via Getty</p> Conservative MP for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson smiles following being eing appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in an investiture at Windsor Castle on Oct. 4

ANDREW MATTHEWS/POOL/AFP via Getty

Conservative MP for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson smiles following being eing appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in an investiture at Windsor Castle on Oct. 4

Related: Royal Family Reveals Rare Fact About King Charles Amid Surprise Outing in Scotland

However, the Royal Family debuted something new on the first day of investitures this week: insignias with Charles’ effigy.

"Images of The King are beginning to appear on the medals being presented to honours recipients at Investiture ceremonies,” courtiers wrote in a clip shared to X. “This morning at Windsor Castle, two Royal Red Cross and two King's Police medals were presented by The Princess Royal, all bearing the new design.”

In the caption, the King’s team added that six new medal designs will be used for the 50 different awards presented at investitures, replacing imagery of Queen Elizabeth. Charles’ mother died in September 2022 at age 96 following a record 70-year reign. The update marks the latest example of King Charles’ likeness replacing that of Queen Elizabeth, following coins and stamps in the U.K.

Princess Anne held the investiture ceremonies on Tuesday, in a duty that passed to Prince William on Wednesday. Investitures recognize outstanding achievement, personal bravery or services to the U.K., and the festive ceremonies are held throughout the year to celebrate those named to the New Year Honours List or the sovereign’s Birthday Honours list.

On Wednesday, the Prince of Wales, 41, presented medals with a meaningful detail on his military uniform: two royal cyphers. “ER” and “CR,” the royal monograms for his grandmother and his father, could be seen on the right shoulder strap of his golden braided aiguillettes.

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According to Hello!, the cyphers signify Prince William's roles as an aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. The honorary positions are unpaid and awarded at the discretion of the monarch, the Ministry of Defence said.

While Queen Elizabeth made William an aide-de-camp a decade ago, his honor from Charles is new. Though it remains unclear when the King bestowed the role, the Prince of Wales sported the double initials at an investiture in May, and again at Trooping the Colour in June.

Charles and Elizabeth's respective insignias link their first initial with the letter "R," meaning "Rex" for King or "Regina" for Queen in Latin, plus their regnal numbers.

PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo A closeup of Prince William's shoulder at an investiture ceremony in May 2023
PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo A closeup of Prince William's shoulder at an investiture ceremony in May 2023

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Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth last Sept. 8, Charles immediately became King and named his eldest son William as the Prince of Wales, the traditional title for the male heir, the following day. Although the two don't have a traditional father-and-son relationship, they are closer than ever before.

"Talking about the future of the country and their future roles has strengthened their bond," a source who knows both King Charles and Prince William previously told PEOPLE.

<p>Anwar Hussein/WireImage</p> King Charles and Prince William at Royal Ascot in 2019

Anwar Hussein/WireImage

King Charles and Prince William at Royal Ascot in 2019

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