Hey there! Let's rewind to 2011 when all eyes were on the UK for the royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. Everyone was buzzing about the big day, but did you know that Kate’s dad, Michael Middleton, pulled out all the stops to mark the occasion? He didn’t just throw a party or send out fancy invitations; he commissioned an entire coat of arms for the Middleton family. Now, that’s going above and beyond, right?
Let me break it down for you. Michael Middleton reached out to none other than Thomas Woodcock, Garter Principal King of Arms, from the prestigious College of Arms in the City of London. This heraldic masterpiece came with a price tag of about $6,100. According to BBC News, experts believed this coat of arms symbolized the rise in social status for Kate’s parents and her potential future role as queen. Talk about a meaningful gesture!
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The Unveiling of the Middleton Coat of Arms
The big reveal happened on April 19, 2011, exactly 10 days before Kate and William exchanged their vows at Westminster Abbey. Now, here's the cool part: every single design element was carefully thought out by Michael and Thomas. The coat of arms takes the form of an elaborate lozenge, a shape traditionally used for women (while men get the shield shape). Kate had a hand in the design, suggesting the inclusion of three acorn sprigs to represent each of the Middleton children.
There's more! The gold chevron in the center is a nod to Carole Middleton, Kate's mom, whose maiden name was Goldsmith. The white "chevronels," those V-shapes above and below the gold chevron, reflect the family's love for skiing in England's scenic Lake District. And that tied ribbon at the top? It was added to signify the unmarried status of Kate and her sister, Pippa Middleton, at the time.
Designing a Unique Coat of Arms
As for the blue and red background, that choice was made to ensure the design was distinct from any existing coats of arms. "With any new design of a coat of arms, you have to make sure that the design is unique, not just in color but in its overall appearance," explained Thomas. "There's a 16th-century coat of arms with a chevron between three sprigs of oak, so we made adjustments by dividing the background colors."
From Souvenir Program to Royal Legacy
This version of the coat of arms, the one with the ribbon on top, found its way onto the back of a souvenir royal wedding program. Meanwhile, William’s coat of arms, featuring a lion and a unicorn, graced the front cover. According to Thomas, while it wasn’t mandatory for Kate to have a coat of arms, marrying into the royal family meant she would likely need one. Interestingly, Kate could have been granted her own design, but her dad insisted the entire family use it. Kudos to you, Mr. Middleton, for keeping it a family affair!
So, there you have it—the fascinating story behind the Middleton coat of arms. If you're a fan of all things royal, be sure to join our Facebook group for the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Prince William, and the rest of the royal family!
