Most people think they know their passports inside and out, after all, it’s a document we often keep close and use frequently for travel.
While many of us recognize the standard elements like our photo, personal information, and the iconic cover, there’s an entire hidden world within the pages of our passports that remains unseen to the naked eye.
But a TikTok video has left viewers stunned, revealing that there’s much more to these seemingly ordinary booklets than meets the eye.
Under ultraviolet (UV) light, passports reveal a hidden world of intricate designs, vibrant patterns, and national symbols that most travellers never knew existed.
In a recent video by the BBC, Border Force officer Malcolm unveiled the hidden intricacies within British passports that are only visible under closer inspection.
These hidden elements are not merely decorative. They serve a critical role in enhancing passport security. UV-reactive features make it significantly harder for counterfeiters to replicate passports, ensuring that travel documents remain secure and authentic.
Malcolm explains that border officers are trained to spot these features instantly, using specialized equipment to verify the legitimacy of each passport they inspect.
As the camera pans over the pages, a kaleidoscope of colours emerges, showcasing national floral emblems like the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, and Northern Irish shamrock.
“It’s so strange to have something you know so well and realize you’ve never truly seen it,” the video’s host said.
The UK government has progressively incorporated various security features into passports since 1972, starting with special watermarks and evolving to include holograms, intricate printed designs, and polycarbonate pages.
These measures aim to provide British nationals with confidence in the uniqueness and security of their passports.
The revelation of these hidden features has captivated viewers, with many expressing amazement at the unseen details embedded within a document they use regularly.
One user said: “I never knew that!!”
While another added: “So now I’m curious what mine looks like.”