Meghan's coat of arms revealed - but can you guess which other members of the royal family these crests belong to?

  • The Coat of Arms designed for the new Duchess of Sussex has been unveiled 
  • Meghan worked closely with the College of Arms throughout the design
  • The blue background of the shield represents the Pacific Ocean off the California coast are symbolic of the sunshine of the Duchess's home state
  • Kensington Palace announcement also featured Duchess's new cypher 

Meghan's Markle's coat of arms has been revealed as she joins the rest of the royal family who each have a special design which signify their rank and their identity. 

Some of the designs, such as the Queen's have been around for generations, while Prince William and Harry both received unique coats of arms for their respective 18th birthdays. 

Prince Charles, as heir to the throne has a special design, which denotes his status as next in line to devoted royal watchers.  

The Coat of Arms of the Duchess of Sussex (pictured) includes subtle nods towards Meghan's native California

The Coat of Arms of the Duchess of Sussex has been unveiled, including subtle nods towards Meghan's native California 

Meghan Markle, who became the Duchess of Sussex last weekend upon her marriage to Prince Harry, worked closely with the College of Arms to design her own Coat of Arms which represents her personally and her American roots. 

The Queen signed off on Meghan's design which features far more detail than the one given to the Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. 

The blue background of the shield represents the Pacific Ocean off the California coast, while the two golden rays across the shield are symbolic of the sunshine of the Duchess's home state. The three quills represent communication and the power of words. 

The announcement of the coat of arms revealed by Kensington Palace also bore what is understood to be Meghan's new cypher, or letterhead, featuring the letter 'M' with a crown on top.   

Beneath the shield on the grass sits a collection of golden poppies, California's state flower, and wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace. 

The most famous design is that of the Queen who is represented by the Royal Coat of Arms.

The crest features a shield divided into four quarters representing Ireland, England, and Scotland.

The monarch is represented by the Royal Coat of Arms representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

The monarch is represented by the Royal Coat of Arms representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

However, Wales does not play a role in the Royal Coat of Arms as when the Act of Union came about the Kingdom of Wales was already integral to England.

The shield also features three guardian lions of England. The lion can be found across many crests. 

As heir apparent, Prince Charles's coat of arms has a plain white 'label' of three points - other members of the Royal family have decorated labels.

Prince Charles received his crest when he was just 13-years-old 

Prince Charles received his crest when he was just 13-years-old 

He was bestowed his crest at the age of 13 known as a heraldic achievement. 

As with many of the crests his shield is guarded by a lion, which typically represents England.

Charles' design also features a single arched crown which has since been replicated in Camilla's coat of arms.

The Duke of Cambridge received his Coat of Arms on his 18th birthday in 2000.  

Prince William also received his crest on his 18th birthday, and it features three small red scallop shells as a tribute to his mother 

Prince William also received his crest on his 18th birthday, and it features three small red scallop shells as a tribute to his mother 

As second in line to the throne the crest, uses a white label of three points like his father, but has in addition a small red 'escallop' or sea-shell on the central point.  

The escallop is derived from the Spencer Coat of Arms: Quarterly Argent and Gules in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters a Fret Or over all on a Bend Sable three Escallops of the First. 

Prince Harry received his crest on his 18th birthday as a gift from his grandmother 

Prince Harry received his crest on his 18th birthday as a gift from his grandmother 

The Duke of Cambridge received his Coat of Arms on his 18th birthday in 2000.

Prince William also received his crest on his 18th birthday, and it features three small red scallop shells as a tribute to his mother +14

Prince William also received his crest on his 18th birthday, and it features three small red scallop shells as a tribute to his mother

As second in line to the throne the crest, uses a white label of three points like his father, but has in addition a small red 'escallop' or sea-shell on the central point.

The escallop is derived from the Spencer Coat of Arms: Quarterly Argent and Gules in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters a Fret Or over all on a Bend Sable three Escallops of the First.

Before her wedding to Prince William, Kate's family was awarded the crest, rather than the royal bride alone.

Although Kate was entitled to apply for a heraldic design in her own right, it was her father, Michael, who actually entered the petition.

The Middleton family crest is by far the most simple of all of the royal family's

This gives his entire family – including his other children, Pippa and James, as well as wife Carole – the right to use the emblem. 

The design is simple, with three leafy acorns representing each of the couple's three children – an idea suggested by Kate herself. 

Acorns were chosen for the analogy that they grow into great oaks. Oak is also a symbol of England and strength, and West Berkshire, where the children were brought up, has many oak trees.  

Meghan (pictured on her wedding day) is said to have taken a 'great interest' in the design of her shield

At the top of the Kensington Palace announcement was newlywed Meghan's new cypher - the letter M with a crown on top 

At the top of the Kensington Palace announcement was newlywed Meghan's new cypher - the letter M with a crown on top 

The meaning contained in Meghan's coat of arms

1. The shield's blue background represents the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Meghan's native California

2. The golden rays across the shield are another nod to the Sunshine State

3. The three quills represent communication and the power of words 

4. On the grass beneath the shield are golden poppies, California's state flower, and wintersweet, which grows in the gardens at Kensington Palace

5. The shield has two Supporters, one a lion, which relates to Prince Harry's shield and also appears on her husband's coat of arms, the other - representing the Duchess herself - a songbird with wings elevated as if flying and an open beak - another nod to the power of communication

6. A coronet has been assigned to the Duchess of Sussex - the coronet laid down by a Royal Warrant of 1917 for the sons and daughters of the Heir Apparent - and composed of two crosses patée, four fleurs-de-lys and two strawberry leaves.

 

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tomary for wives of the royals to have one of their husband's supporters on their crest

Prince Harry's coat of arms, which was unveiled on his 18th birthday in 2002, also features a lion  as a 'supporter', it is customary for wives of the royals to have one of their husband's supporters on their crest

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.

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 nine hundred years and is associated with both individual people and great corporate bodies such as Cities, Universities and for instance the Livery Companies in the City of London. '

 

Meghan's crest has stark contrasts with Kate's (pictured) with the Duchess of Cambridge opting to have a family Coat of Arms rather than an individual one 

The College of Arms, a branch of the Royal household, is the official body in the UK that deals with coats of arms and their team of experts - funded by the fees they charge and not taxpayers money - design and research heraldic or genealogical issues. 

There is still speculation as to whether Meghan's father Thomas Markle will received a coat of arms as both Kate Middleton and Sophie Rhys-Jones' fathers were when they were married.

HOW DO YOU GET A COAT OF ARMS?

Coats of Arms came into being during medieval tournaments like jousting when knights would be recognised by the motifs on their shields or helmets and heralds quickly learnt the different ones in use, taking up responsibility for the control of their use.

Their use declined in competition and battle but they became more widely used in society.

The College of Arms, a branch of the Royal household, is the official body in the UK that deals with coats of arms and their team of experts - funded by the fees they charge and not taxpayers money - design and research heraldic or genealogical issues.

The arms are given for free while the money people pay is for the research and design of the coat of arms.

However, that doesn't mean that just anybody can pay the fee and get a coat of arms. The cumulative knowledge of the Earl Marshal gathered over hundreds of years has given them the skill of tactfully suggesting that people don't proceed with their application.

The late Peter Gwynn-Jones, a former Garter King of Arms, once said: 'In practice, eligibility depends upon holding a civil or military commission, a sound university degree or professional qualification, or having achieved some measure of distinction in a field beneficial to society as a whole.' 

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The reason for the delay may be that Mr Markle, a retired Hollywood lighting director who lives in Mexico, is a U.S. citizen, so needs to prove that he has an ancestor who was a subject of the Crown.

This should not be too difficult, as his forebears include Mary Smith, a maid who was recorded in 1856 as working at Windsor Castle, where Meghan will be married in May. 

Meghan's Coat of Arms suggests an air of independence in comparison to the Duchess of Cambridge's in 2011.

Before her wedding to Prince William, Kate's family was awarded the crest, rather than the royal bride alone.

Although Kate was entitled to apply for a heraldic design in her own right, it was her father, Michael, who actually entered the petition.

This gives his entire family – including his other children, Pippa and James, as well as wife Carole – the right to use the emblem. 

The design is simple, with three leafy acorns representing each of the couple's three children – an idea suggested by Kate herself. 

Acorns were chosen for the analogy that they grow into great oaks. Oak is also a symbol of England and strength, and West Berkshire, where the children were brought up, has many oak trees. 

Two years after their wedding the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a joint Coat of Arms created, known as a Conjungal Coat of Arms. 

Acorns were chosen for the analogy that they grow into great oaks. Oak is also a symbol of England and strength, and West Berkshire, where the children were brought up, has many oak trees.

In the centre of Kate's emblem is a gold chevron representing the Duchess's mother, Carole, at the heart of the family. Her family name was Goldsmith. 

The two thin white chevrons on either side indicate, remarkably, the family's love of skiing and mountains, while the background colours of red and blue were chosen as they are the principal colours of the flag of the UK and match William's own shield.

William's design is a version of the Royal Coat of Arms which was granted to him by the Queen on his 18th birthday.

It shows the various royal emblems of the United Kingdom: the three lions of England, the lion of Scotland and the harp of Ireland.

Two years after they were married The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a joint Coat of Arms created, known as a Conjungal Coat of Arms

Two years after they were married The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a joint Coat of Arms created, known as a Conjungal Coat of Arms

 

The joint crest combines elements of both Kate and William, with acorns a nod towards the Middleton Coat of Arms and royal emblems supporting William's side

It is surrounded by a blue garter bearing the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense – Shame to those who think evil of it – which symbolises the Order of the Garter of which he is a Knight Companion.

Both shields are supported by the Duke of Cambridge's 'supporters' – a royal lion and unicorn, each wearing a three pointed collar, known as a label. 

The label has a red scallop shell derived from the Spencer coat of arms, which has been used by the ancestors of Princess Diana for centuries.

Flowing out from the top of the Conjugal Coat of Arms is 'mantling', which represents the slashed cloth hung around the necks of knights fighting in the heat of the Middle East during the Crusades. 

THE ROYAL COATS OF ARMS

QUEEN  

The monarch is represented by the Royal Coat of Arms.

The crest features a shield divided into four quarters representing Ireland, England, and Scotland.

The monarch is represented by the Royal Coat of Arms representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

The monarch is represented by the Royal Coat of Arms representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

However, Wales does not play a role in the Royal Coat of Arms as when the Act of Union came about the Kingdom of Wales was already integral to England.

The shield also features three guardian lions of England. The lion can be found across many crests. 

PRINCE OF WALES 

 As heir apparent, Charles' coat of arms has a plain white 'label' of three points - other members of the Royal family have decorated labels.

Prince Charles received his crest when he was just 13-years-old 

Prince Charles received his crest when he was just 13-years-old 

He was bestowed his crest at the age of 13 known as a heraldic achievement. 

As with many of the crests his shield is guarded by a lion, which typically represents England.

Charles' design also features a single arched crown which has since been replicated in Camilla's coat of arms.

THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL

Camilla was granted her own Coat of Arms in July 2005 in celebration of her 58th birthday. 

The design, in bright blue, red, gold and green, shows both the coat of arms of her husband, the Prince of Wales, and her father, Major Bruce Shand. 

But unlike Diana, Princess of Wales, Camilla does not share her new crest with her husband Prince Charles. 

The Duchess of Cornwall was given her crest as a 58th birthday present by the Queen 

The Duchess of Cornwall was given her crest as a 58th birthday present by the Queen 

Insiders at Clarence House say the decision to have a separate coat of arms follows efforts by the Royals to ensure that she is not seen as a 'replacement' to Diana. 

The central shield on Camilla's crest is flanked by the 'Royal lion supporter' from the Prince's arms on the left, while on the right is a boar taken from Major Shand's arms.  

PRINCESS DIANA

Diana Spencer was bestowed with a Coat of Arms ahead of her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981.

The crest encompassed her family name meaning that those in her direct family could use the crest.  

Diana's family crest features three white shells which also feature on the crests of her two sons 

Diana's family crest features three white shells which also feature on the crests of her two sons 

Three scallop shells feature on Spencer family’s Coat of Arms in white and both William and Harry have paid tribute to their late mother by adding a red scallop shell to their own crests.  

It is thought the Spencer family adopted the scallop shell symbol as they were worn by pilgrims to the shrine of St James of Compstella in Santiago during the 12th century. 

PRINCE HARRY

The Duke of Sussex was gifted his crest which incorporates an emblem from his mother Diana's family arms, on his 18th birthday by the Queen

Prince Harry received his crest on his 18th birthday as a gift from his grandmother 

Prince Harry received his crest on his 18th birthday as a gift from his grandmother 

Harry's crest - a lion and unicorn, either side of a shield, topped by a coronet and second, smaller lion - is based on one created for Prince William on his 18th two years ago.

As with William, the Queen authorised the unique coat of arms for Harry.

It features a small, red escallop from the Spencer coat of arms. The escallop appears three times on the first, third and fifth points on white collars around the lions, unicorn and shield.

The collars or labels, as they are called, can only be used in arms of the sovereign's children or the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. There is no motto.  

PRINCE WILLIAM

The Duke of Cambridge received his Coat of Arms on his 18th birthday in 2000.  

Prince William also received his crest on his 18th birthday, and it features three small red scallop shells as a tribute to his mother 

Prince William also received his crest on his 18th birthday, and it features three small red scallop shells as a tribute to his mother 

As second in line to the throne the crest, uses a white label of three points like his father, but has in addition a small red 'escallop' or sea-shell on the central point.  

The escallop is derived from the Spencer Coat of Arms: Quarterly Argent and Gules in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters a Fret Or over all on a Bend Sable three Escallops of the First. 

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE 

Before her wedding to Prince William, Kate's family was awarded the crest, rather than the royal bride alone.

Although Kate was entitled to apply for a heraldic design in her own right, it was her father, Michael, who actually entered the petition.

The Middleton family crest is by far the most simple of all of the royal family's

The Middleton family crest is by far the most simple of all of the royal family's

This gives his entire family – including his other children, Pippa and James, as well as wife Carole – the right to use the emblem. 

The design is simple, with three leafy acorns representing each of the couple's three children – an idea suggested by Kate herself. 

Acorns were chosen for the analogy that they grow into great oaks. Oak is also a symbol of England and strength, and West Berkshire, where the children were brought up, has many oak trees. 

 

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