reporter: coin makers hope this new 50 p coin will enter circulation just before christmas. it s all part of a 1,000 year tradition of british royals being depicted on coins. historically there s always been a portrait of the monarch. for the greater part of anglo-saxon, early medieval period it wasn t a recognized individual. at the end of the 15th century there was a recognizable subtlety on the coins for the people of britain that suddenly could see the features of their king. reporter: the british people will not only need to equate themselves with new coins but also bank notes and stamps, which will all change to reflect the new head of state. as britain edges closer to a cashless society, coin makers hope these designs will spark a renewed interest in coins. there s no question people will want to mark this occasion,
to feature the king s portrait. the 50p coin is expected to go into circulation within weeks. the coins will also commemorate the life and legacy of her late majesty queen elizabeth the second. early next week, we will be launching the memorial range which, as i say, is commemorative, but also going into circulation. and people should start to see the circulation coins. it s a 50p circulation memorial 50p going out in a couple of months time, and the commemorative coins should start to go out in about six weeks time. denmark s queen margrethe, who is europe s only reigning queen and the continent s longest serving monarch, has decided to strip four of her eight grandchildren of their titles. they are the children of the queen s second son, princejoachim. the official reason given was to allow the four children to live more normal lives, but countess alexandra,