William and Kate’s role as Prince and Princess of Wales is now also reflected in their coat of arms.© © NUNN SYNDICATION LIMITED 2025/ddp
Princess Kate (43) and Prince William (43) made a significant change during their most recent public appearance – but most observers probably didn’t notice it at first. The couple presented their revised joint coat of arms for the first time at the Royal Variety Performance on Wednesday evening.
The new design was visible in a program booklet at the London Royal Albert Hall venue. It is the first update since 2013 and marks an important step in the couple’s royal role.
First Change in Over a Decade
Kate and William received their original joint coat of arms in 2013, two years after their wedding. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) in September 2022, William inherited the title Prince of Wales from his father, King Charles III (77). This change now also required an adjustment to the coat of arms.
The updated design contains the distinctive feathers of the Prince of Wales – a symbol that has been associated with this title since the 14th century. Additionally, it displays the appropriate crowns that illustrate the new position. These differ significantly from the simple golden crowns on the first joint coat of arms.
Historic Symbols and Family References
Below the new coat of arms also appears a ribbon with the official motto of the Prince of Wales: “I Serve.” There are two theories about the exact origin of this phrase. It could have German origins and derive from “Ich diene” (I serve). However, it may also be based on the Welsh Eich Dyn (“Your Man”).
Kate’s shield in the coat of arms continues to contain symbols of her Middleton family. The shield still shows three oak sprigs – an allusion to Kate and her two siblings Pippa and James. At the same time, the symbol refers to the region where the three grew up, which is characterized by oak forests.
Leave a Reply