Meghan Markle Gets Her Own Coat Of Arms AS The Duchess Of Sussex

A Coat of Arms has been created for Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, by the Royal family. The Coat of Arms is to cement Meghan's role as the Duchess of Sussex. 

Kensington Palace shared the design on their Twitter page and Instagram Story and said:

The design of the Arms was agreed and approved by Her Majesty The Queen and Mr. Thomas Woodcock (Garter King of Arms and Senior Herald in England), who is based at the College of Arms in London.

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 design features many elements that reflect Meghan’s heritage.

The Palace explained:

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.

It is written on the Royal.uk website that It is customary for Supporters of the shield (in this case, the animals on the sides) to be assigned to members of the royal family, and for wives of members of the royal family to have one of their husband’s Supporters and one relating to themselves.

The Supporter relating to the Duchess of Sussex is a songbird with wings elevated as if flying and an open beak, which with the quill represents the power of communication.

Meghan also has been assigned a new Coronet.

The Palace said:

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.

In a sweet nod to Meghan’s recent nuptials, there are "arms of a married woman…shown with those of her husband and the technical term is that they are impaled, meaning placed side by side in the same shield."

Kate Middleton, 36, was given a Coat of Arms along with her husband Prince William, 35, in 2013, and it is likely Meghan will get the same with Prince Harry later in to their marriage.