Miss Catherine Middleton has a new Coat of Arms in advance of her wedding to Prince William on Friday 29th April at Westminster Abbey.
Miss Middleton's Coat of Arms derives from one which is being granted to her father, Mr. Michael Middleton. The design of the Arms was agreed and approved by Mr. Thomas Woodcock (Garter King of Arms and Senior Herald in England) who is based at the College of Arms in London.
The Middleton Family took great interest in the design of their Coat of Arms, working closely with the College of Arms to create something that visually identified them as a family. The three acorns in the design represent Mr. and Mrs. Middleton's three children (Catherine, Philippa and James). The acorns were chosen as the area where the children grew up (West Berkshire) is surrounded by oak trees, which are a long-established symbol of "England" and "Strength".
The gold chevron at the centre of the design represents Mrs. Middleton, whose maiden name is Goldsmith. The two thinner chevrons allude to hills and mountains, in representation of the outdoor pursuits that the family enjoy together. The blue and red colours were selected as they are they the main colours in the flag of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Thomas Woodcock, Garter King of Arms said:
“Mr. and Mrs. Middleton and their children took enormous interest in this design and, while its purpose is to provide a traditional heraldic identity for Catherine, as she marries into the Royal Family, the intent was to represent the whole Middleton family together, their home and aspects of what they enjoy.
“Every Coat of Arms has been designed to identify a person, school or organisation, and to last forever: heraldry is Europe's oldest, most visual and strictly regulated form of identity and it surrounds us in Britain, giving clues to our history and surroundings. After her marriage, Catherine Middleton will place her father’s Arms beside those of her husband in what is known as an impaled Coat of Arms. This will require a Royal Warrant from The Queen."
For more information about the Royal Wedding please visit
www.officialroyalwedding2011.org
