GettyLast weekend the world watched on in awe as Prince Harry wedded American actress Meghan Markle in an incredibly long, passionate, and lavish wedding ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Prince Harry, now the Duke of Sussex tied the knot with Meghan, now the Duchess of Sussex as a result of their marriage. Not that they merely got married for the sake of the titles.
But just what does a young Duke and Duchess need? Yep. You guessed it in one. A coat of arms. Check it out below.
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
A statement released by the royals explained:
Her Royal Highness 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, 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.
Beneath the shield on the grass sits a collection of golden poppies, California’s state flower, and wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace.
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.
However people have noticed something sinister in the coat of arms. Yes, something very sinister indeed. Can you spot it? Look closer. Spot it yet?
You’re getting good at this aren’t you. Spotted it in seconds! The crowns on this bloody thing are strangling the life out of bird and lion. Now you tell me this, Queenie, what the hell is that all about?!
Glad to see I'm not alone in thinking the bird is being strangled. WOW @KensingtonRoyal this is not going over well. #BlackPrincess #DuchessMeghan
— Sophisticated Diva (@TSPDST) May 25, 2018
Why is the crown around the dove's neck? Even for an American like me, the symbolism isn't a positive one.
— ?Laurie? (@5_by_26) May 25, 2018
I was wondering that myself. They explained what everything else meant, except the crown. I was hoping someone would see this & explain it me/us.
— Tammy Lynne (@TammyLynne89) May 25, 2018
But why is the Crown around the neck?
— Linda (@cleflygirl15) May 25, 2018
But thank christ this fellow came out to explain the reasoning behind it:
in english heraldry, is standard to put the crown around the neck of a supporter (term for the side animals) in the coat of arms of someone given the rank of duke or duchess. The Duchess worked with the heralds on the design, and approved it. i would not worry about this.
— Res Ipsa (@alephill74) May 25, 2018
In a tweet, Res Ipsa, wrote:
In english heraldry, is standard to put the crown around the neck of a supporter (term for the side animals) in the coat of arms of someone given the rank of duke or duchess. The Duchess worked with the heralds on the design, and approved it. i would not worry about this.
And now I can sleep again!
Speaking about the coat of arms, 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 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.
Good luck to her.
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