The
Royal Coat of Arms
The function of
the Royal Coat of Arms is to identify the person who is Head of
State: in respect of the United Kingdom, the royal arms are borne
only by the Sovereign. They are used in many, for instance on
coins, in churches and on public buildings. They are familiar to
most people as they appear on the products and goods.
The Royal Coat
of Arms of the United Kingdom have evolved over many years and
reflect the history of the Monarchy and of the country - symbols
representing England,
Scotland and
Ireland, the Sovereign's motto
and the lion and the unicorn.
Separate
Scottish and English quarterings of the Royal Arms originate from
the Union of the Crown in 1603. From the times of the Stuart
kings, the Scottish quarterings have been used for official
purposes in Scotland (for example, on official buildings and
official publications).
Coats of Arms of
members of the Royal family are broadly similar to
The Queen's
with small differences to identify them.
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explanation
Coat of arms: In the official coat of arms the
shield shows the various royal emblems of different parts
of the United Kingdom: the three lions of England in the
first and fourth quarters, the lion of Scotland in the
second and the harp of Ireland in the third. It is
surrounded by a garter bearing the motto Honi soit
qui mal y pense (Evil to him who evil thinks),
which symbolises the Order of the Garter, an ancient
order of knighthood of which the Queen is Sovereign. The
shield is supported by the English lion and Scottish
unicorn and is surmounted by the Royal crown. Below it
appears the motto of the Sovereign, Dieu et mon
droit (God and my right). The plant badges of the
United Kingdom - rose, thistle and shamrock - are often
displayed beneath the shield.
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| explanation Scotish version Coat
of arms: The Scottish version of the Royal Coat of
Arms shows the lion of Scotland in the first and fourth
quarters, with that of England being in the second. The
harp of Ireland is in the third quarter. The mottoes read
In defence and No one will attack me
with impunity.
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explanation Welsh Coat of arms: The special
position of Wales as a Principality was recognised long
before the incorporation of of the quarterings for
Scotland and Ireland in the Royal Arms. The arms of the
Prince of Wales show the arms of the ancient Principality
in the centre as well as these quarterings.
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