Royal Wedding: Coat of Arms for Kate Middleton
April 19, 2011— -- The soon-to-be princess has been granted a coat of arms.
Kate Middleton's coat of arms hangs from a ribbon, symbolizing she is unmarried. But that will change in 10 days when she marries into the royal family.
"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," according to Buckingham Palace.
Three acorns are included in the design to represent where Kate grew up in West Berkshire, which was surrounded by oak trees, and because oak is a symbol of "strength" and "England," according to the palace. There are three acorns to signify the three Middleton children.
The coat of arms is blue and red to match the colors of the flag of the United Kingdom. In the center of the coat, the gold chevron is a sign of her mother's maiden name, Goldsmith, and the thinner chevrons, above and below the main one, represent the Middletons' love for outdoor activities.
"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," the palace said.
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