Passports

When travelling overseas, the Sovereign does not require a British passport.

As a British passport is issued in the name of His Majesty, it is unnecessary for The King to possess one. All other Members of the Royal Family, including The Queen and The Prince of Wales, have passports.

The first page of British passports contains a representation of the Royal Arms, together with the following wording:

'His Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of His 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.'

In Realms (Commonwealth countries where The King is Sovereign), a similar formula is used, except that the request to all whom it may concern is made in the name of the Realm's Governor-General, as The King’s representative in that Realm. In Canada, the request is made in the name of His Majesty by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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