Change in British Banknotes: Churchill Out, Wildlife In

Winston Churchill will no longer appear on English banknotes; instead, they’ll feature images of wild animals.

Currently, banknotes issued by the Bank of England showcase portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, along with notable figures like Churchill, novelist Jane Austen, artist J.M.W. Turner, and computer scientist Alan Turing. Historical figures have been a staple on English banknotes for over 50 years, as noted by the BBC.

On Wednesday, the Bank of England announced that future banknotes will depict images of native wildlife from the United Kingdom.

According to Victoria Cleland, the Bank’s chief cashier, “The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK.”

Some observers suggest that this change might also be an attempt to eliminate a constant reminder of Britain’s predominantly white historical narrative.

The BBC pointed out that there has never been a historical figure from a black or ethnic minority background on the Bank’s notes, a reflection of a past when Britain was 95.4% white as recently as 1981. Current government data from 2021 shows that the country is about 81% white.

There’s speculation that prominent figures, understandably, tend to be white, which can be contentious for some groups within Britain.

A bill introduced in 2019 aimed to ensure that the Bank of England would meet standards for representing ethnic minorities on banknotes.

In July 2025, the Bank established six criteria for what would constitute a favorable theme for the next series of banknotes, including the stipulation that it “is not divisive.” It emphasized that the theme should avoid imagery that could reasonably offend or exclude any group.

The bank claims that nature was the most popular theme during a July 2025 consultation, with 60% of respondents choosing it as a preference, while notable historical figures ranked third at 38%.

Not entirely surprising, the appeal of nature as a theme likely stems from its innocuous nature. If allowed to pick multiple themes, many might opt for a “safe” choice. It’s worth considering how many respondents were influenced by sensitivity concerns raised by the Bank.

Nadeem Perera, a bird-watcher on the bank’s wildlife advisory panel, stated that “the wildlife of the UK is not separate from our culture,” reflecting its presence in sports, folklore, and childhood experiences. He expressed that featuring wildlife on currency is both overdue and significant.

The Bank of England, supported by its consultants, may have valid reasons for sidelining historical figures. However, this decision seems to signal an effort to reshape the narrative, paving the way for a new direction.