Bank of England replaces St George’s Cross with ‘more inclusive’ union flag Business

The Bank was founded before the formation of the United Kingdom, but the inclusion of the Union Jack design indicates that the whole nation is now recognized in the logo.

Initially a Roman heroine wielding a trident, this is at least the 13th iteration of her image that the Bank of England has used in its history.

In 11 of them, she was seated in a somewhat familiar form, albeit with variations in pose, an ever-changing stack of coins and, on one occasion, a lion by her side.

In recent years, the Bank has come under additional pressure to include more images of women, beyond the Queen, on its banknotes.

This resulted in the decision to feature the likeness of author Jane Austen on the new polymer £10 note which was introduced in 2017.