Cambridges given new coat of arms

The Conjugal Coat of Arms, shown publicly for the first time yesterday, was approved by the Queen this year and combines William’s coat of arms and Kate’s shield from the Middleton family coat of arms. Designed by the College of Arms in London, conjugal arms traditionally show the separate shields of a royal husband and wife, side by side.

William’s shield, on the left of the coat of arms, is his version of the Royal Coat of Arms granted to him by the Queen on his 18th birthday.

It sits alongside Kate’s shield from the Middleton family coat of arms, granted to the family in 2011 ahead of her marriage.

In the couple’s arms, the Duchess of Cambridge’s shield is surrounded by a wreath of oak, to balance out her husband’s garter – a tradition for royal spouses who are not themselves entitled to surround their arms with an order of chivalry.

Both shields are supported by the royal lion and unicorn, each wearing a three pointed collar.