The Bank of England has unveiled the four animals that will soon grace the country’s redesigned banknotes. The Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, and European hedgehog were chosen from a public vote involving over 478,531 participants. The buff-tailed bumblebee emerged as the clear favorite, receiving 360,399 votes, while the hedgehog topped the mammals category. The Atlantic puffin was selected to represent marine life and add variety to the notes.
These creatures will replace historical figures like Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, and Alan Turing, a decision that sparked controversy among some politicians. Reform leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticized the move, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calling it "a silly thing to do." The Bank of England defended the change, stating it is primarily aimed at enhancing security and preventing counterfeiting.
The redesign process will take years, as the Bank ensures the new notes are high-quality, resilient, and accessible. The monarch will still appear on one side of the notes, while the reverse side will feature the winning animals and other natural elements. The final designs will be revealed closer to their launch, combining the selected imagery with advanced security features.