Kate Middleton and Prince William's love has an official symbol. Nearly two and a half years after their wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 — and more than two months after the birth of Prince George — the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been given a new "Conjugal Coat of Arms" to "represent them in heraldic terms as a married couple," Kensington Palace announced in a press release on Friday, Sept. 27.
The shield, approved earlier this year by Queen Elizabeth II, was designed by the College of Arms in London. It features the Duke's own personal Coat of Arms on the left, along with the Middleton family Arms on the right.
Prince William's shield, which was given to him by his grandmother on his 18th birthday, shows the three lions of England, the lion of Scotland, and the harp of Ireland. It also bears the motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense," which means "Shame to those who think evil of it." According to Kensington Palace, the quote represents the Order of the Garter, of which the 31-year-old Duke is "a Knight Companion."
Middleton's family shield, meanwhile — given to her father, Michael Middleton, prior to her wedding — is described by the Palace as half-Azure (blue) and half-Gules (red), with a gold chevron across the center. The "distinguishing feature" is a trio of acorns with gold stalks and leaves.
The shields are held up by the Royal Lion and Unicorn, both of which wear what's called a label — a three-pointed collar with a red "escallop shell," which comes from a Coat of Arms belonging to the Duke's late mother, Princess Diana.
"The Conjugal Arms will be theirs forever, however as their circumstances and roles alter, elements of the accoutrements around the shields may change," the Palace explained. "In addition to their Conjugal Arms, Their Royal Highnesses also retain their own Coats of Arms to represent themselves as individuals."
