Californian touch for royal shield
THE Duchess of Sussex’s royal coat of arms was unveiled yesterday – and it contains quite a few nods to her Californian roots.
Los Angeles-born Meghan Markle worked closely on the heraldic design, coming up with a symbol that is “personal and representative”.
The result is a mix of British royal tradition and references to the former actress’s home state.
The blue background of the shield suggests the Pacific Ocean off the Californian coast.
Two rays across the shield are symbolic of the sunshine of the Golden State, while three quills signify communication and the power of words.
Beneath the shield on the grass are golden poppies, California’s state flower, and wintersweet, a plant popular at her new home, Kensington Palace in London.
The “supporters” on either side of the shield see Prince Harry represented by the royal golden lion while a songbird, elevated as if flying with an open beak, acknowledges the Duchess and also alludes to communication.
The design was approved by the Queen and by Thomas Woodcock, the Garter Principal King of Arms.
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 stand well beside the historic beauty of the quartered royal arms.”
Meghan, 36, and Harry, 33, will now work on a “conjugal coat of arms”, to be unveiled in a few years.