The conjugal coat of arms of Prince Edward and Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh, has recently emerged into the spotlight.
This revelation followed a royal discourse spurred by a quest on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's newly launched website, igniting conversations on Tuesday. The joint court of arms for the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh was unveiled within the 2023 Impact Report of Leaf, an organization advocating for sustainable food and farming.
Sophie, aged 59, serves as the honorary president of this organization, emphasizing its achievements in the report. The coat of arms belonging to Sophie and Edward features two shields under a coronet, prominently displayed on stationery from Bagshot Park, their royal residence adjacent to Windsor Castle. They reside there with their two children, Lady Louise Windsor, aged 20, and James, Viscount Severn, aged 16.
A closer examination of this conjugal coat of arms, symbolizing Prince Edward and Sophie's marital union, reveals Edward's shield on the left and Sophie's on the right. Notably, Prince Edward received his individual coat of arms at 19, while Sophie's father, Christopher Rhys-Jones, had a coat of arms created in anticipation of her marriage in 1999.
The Duchess's coat of arms is distinct, featuring a lion in homage to her Welsh heritage, specifically honoring her ancestor, the Welsh warrior Elliston Glood, Prince of Frig. The unveiling of the conjugal coat of arms coincided with a personal message signed by The Duchess of Edinburgh, surfacing just a week after Prince Harry and Meghan discreetly launched their new website.
Prince Harry also possesses a coat of arms, and the possibility of a conjugal coat of arms for the couple had been speculated. However, the joint Sussex version was never officially revealed by the palace. Some speculate that timing might have been a factor, as Prince William and Catherine's combined crest was not unveiled until two years after their wedding in 2011.
The arms of a married woman are traditionally depicted alongside those of her husband, impaled side by side in the same shield. However, observers noted that an update to the crest might be necessary following King Charles's accession to the throne in 2022, as Prince Harry is now the son of the monarch, warranting a different coronet and a revision to the lapel's points.
Hugo Vickers, a renowned expert on the British royal family, criticized the use of royal connections on the Sussexes' website. According to him, the inclusion of the royal arms could be interpreted as exploiting royal ties, potentially misleading visitors.
Vickers highlighted three key errors in the displayed coat of arms, including the use of Meghan's individual coat of arms rather than a conjugal shield and an error on Prince Harry's side. He emphasized the importance of adhering to proper heraldic protocols and cautioned against misrepresentation of royal symbols in commercial or professional contexts.
