Kate Middleton family coat of arms created

Kate Middleton and her family have been granted an official Coat of Arms ahead of the Royal Wedding on 29 April. The official release from Clarence House declared that the Coat of Arms will be granted to her father Michael for his descendants. The whole family has apparently worked closely with the College of Arms on the design.

It is made up of three acorns, each representing the Middleton’s three children, Kate, Philippa and James with the “very British” emblem being used because of the family home being located in oak-filled countryside in west Berkshire. The gold chevron in the middle of the arms derives from Carole Middleton’s maiden name Goldsmith. The red, white and blue colours were chosen for their obvious national connections and the two white arrows represent hills and mountains and the family’s love of outdoor pursuits.

More on the Royal Wedding from Channel 4 News - Prince William and Princess Catherine

Thomas Woodcock, the Garter King of Arms, said: “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.”

Previously known to the nation as Kate, the princess-in-waiting is now officially to be referred to as Catherine. The presence of the blue ribbon on the Coat of Arms is to indicate that currently, she is an unmarried daughter.

The official description of the Middleton Coat of Arms from Clarence House and The College of Arms
The technical heraldic description of the Middleton Coat of Arms, known as a "blazon" is Per pale Azure and Gules a Chevron Or cotised Argent between three Acorns slipped and leaved Or. Per Pale means that the Shield is divided vertically with one half blue (Azure) and the other half red (Gules). A Chevron Or means the gold chevron across the centre of the Shield. There are cotises either side of the chevron which are white (Argent). Slipped means "with a stalk" so the final part of the blazon - and distinguishing feature of the Shield - means three acorns with gold stalks and leaves.