The Duchess Of Sussex’s Coat Of Arms Has Been Revealed
Meghan Markle worked closely with the College of Arms throughout the design process
A coat of arms has been created for the Duchess of Sussex, Kensington Palace has confirmed this afternoon, and the meaning behind its design is symbolic to Meghan.
The design of the arms was agreed and approved by Her Majesty The Queen and Mr. Thomas Woodcock (Garter King of Arms and Senior Herald in England), who is based at the College of Arms in London, the palace revealed. Markle is said to have worked closely with the College of Arms throughout the design process to create a coat of arms that was both personal and representative.
The blue background of the shield represents the Pacific Ocean off the California coast (Meghan is an LA native), while the two golden rays across the shield are symbolic of the sunshine of her home-state.
A Coat of Arms has been created for The Duchess of Sussex: https://t.co/mJb3mqZfaZ pic.twitter.com/0EgbiS29Rb
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 25, 2018
The three quills represent communication and the power of words. Markle is an active advocate for women’s rights, and gave a powerful speech at the UN Women’s 2015 conference about gender equality. Beneath the shield on the grass sits a collection of golden poppies – California’s state flower, and wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace, where she and Harry reside in Nottingham Cottage.
The palace adds that “it is customary for Supporters of the shield to be assigned to Members of the Royal Family, and for wives of members of the royal family to have one of their husband’s Supporters and one relating to themselves.
“The Supporter relating to The Duchess of Sussex is a songbird with wings elevated as if flying and an open beak, which with the quill represents the power of communication.”
A Coronet has also been assigned to The Duchess of Sussex. It is the Coronet laid down by a Royal Warrant of 1917 for the sons and daughters of the Heir Apparent. It is composed of two crosses patée, four fleurs-de-lys and two strawberry leaves.
The arms of a married woman are shown with those of her husband and the technical term is that they are impaled, meaning placed side by side in the same shield.
Mr. Thomas Woodcock, Garter King of Arms said: “The Duchess of Sussex took a great interest in the design.
“Good heraldic design is nearly always simple and the Arms of The Duchess of Sussex stand well beside the historic beauty of the quartered British Royal Arms.
“Heraldry as a means of identification has flourished in Europe for almost 900 years.”