Prince William and Kate Middleton’s conjugal coat of arms approved by the Queen
Prince William and Kate Middleton have a new coat of arms to represent them as a married couple, according to Kensington Palace.
The conjugal coat of arms was approved by the Queen earlier this year.
It combines the Duke of Cambridge’s coat of arms and the duchess’ shield, from the Middleton family coat of arms.
Designed by the College of Arms in London, conjugal arms traditionally combine the separate shields of a royal husband and wife.
Prince William’s shield, on the left of the coat of arms, is his version of the Royal Coat of Arms, granted to him by the Queen on his 18th birthday.
It shows the various royal emblems of different parts of the UK – the three lions of England, the lion of Scotland and the harp of Ireland.
Kate Middleton and Prince William get new conjugal coat of arms
The duke’s shield is surrounded by a blue garter bearing the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense – Shame to those who think evil of it – which symbolizes the Order of the Garter, of which he is a Knight Companion.
Kate Middleton’s shield comes from her family’s coat of arms, which was granted to the family in 2011, ahead of her marriage.
It is divided vertically, with one half blue and the other half red, and includes a gold chevron across the centre with white “cotises” either side.
The shield also includes three acorns – representing Kate Middleton and her siblings Pippa and James – with gold stalks and leaves.
The conjugal arms was made by putting Kate Middleton’s shield next to Prince William’s, in what is known as an impaled coat of arms.
In the couple’s arms, Kate Middleton’s shield is surrounded by a wreath of oak, to balance out her husband’s garter – a tradition for royal spouses who are not themselves entitled to surround their arms with an order of chivalry.
Both shields are supported by the royal lion and unicorn, each wearing a three pointed collar, known as a label.
The label has a red escallop shell derived from the Spencer coat of arms, which has been used by Prince William’s ancestors on his mother’s side for many centuries.
Prince William and Kate Middleton will keep the coat of arms forever, but parts could change as their own circumstances and roles change.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also keep their own coats of arms to represent themselves as individuals, Kensington Palace said.