King Charles III: The man who can travel the world without a passport

Following Queen Elizabeth's death on Thursday, the British throne will see a regime change for the first time in seven decades with her son ascending to the post.

Even as the regime changes many traditions remain in force, including ownership of the country's unmarked mute swans and sturgeon among others. The most salient of which is King Charles' lack of a passport and a driving license.

The British passport has, historically, been issued in the name of the monarch in charge, which in this case is King Charles himself.


With the preamble in every passport now stating - "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," he hardly needs his own. An extension of the same applies to having a driving license.

That's not all, however, with the Buckingham Palace resident getting other quirks with his ascension to the throne.

Swans, dolphins and sturgeon
The aforementioned ownership of birds extends to sturgeon, dolphins and whales in British waters.

Two birthdays
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth celebrated two birthdays - one on her actual birthday and an official celebration - and King Charles is also expected to follow the tradition as his birthday is in the winter.