Meghan’s coat of arms...with a twist
A WEEK ago she walked up the aisle at Windsor as plain Meghan Markle. Now as Prince Harry’s bride she is the Duchess of Sussex...and as befits a royal she now has her own coat of arms.
The heraldic device was unveiled yesterday and however traditional it looks at first glance, it contains a number of references to her American roots.
The new duchess worked closely with the College of Arms throughout the design process to create something that was both personal and representative.
She chose a blue background for the shield to represent the Pacific Ocean off the California coast in reference to where she was born in Los Angeles.
The two golden rays across the design are symbolic of the sunshine of the duchess’s home state.
The three quills represent communication and the power of words, a nod to her acting past.
And beneath the shield on the grass sit golden poppies, California’s state flower, and wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace.
The newly designed Coat of Arms was approved by The Queen as was that of Diana when she became Princess of Wales and that of the Duchess of Cambridge.
Thomas Woodcock, the Garter King of Arms and Senior Herald in England, who is based at the College of Arms in London, also had to approve.
Mr Woodcock 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.”
“Supporters” of the shield also appear, a feature usually confined to members of the Royal Family.
The right hand supporter, relating to the duchess herself, is a songbird with wings elevated as if flying and an open beak, which like the quills, represents the power of communication.
The lion on the left is the same as the supporter featured on Prince Harry’s Coat of Arms, given to him to celebrate his 18th birthday.
His is based on the quartered arms of England, Scotland and Ireland, and features a lion and a unicorn on either side.
A coronet has been granted to the new duchess, an honour allowed to the sons and daughters of the Heir Apparent.
Hers is decorated with crosses, fleurs-de-lys and strawberry leaves.
OUR new Duchess of Sussex now has her own coat of arms, reflecting the sunshine of California and her skills in communication. There are many advantages to marrying a prince. This is undoubtedly one of the stranger ones but charming nonetheless.