Kate Middleton Gets Coat of Arms

The Middleton family has created its own coat of arms, just in time for daughter Kate to give it up. The design, commissioned by Kate's dad, Michael, to mark his daughter's marriage to Prince William on April 29, features three oak sprigs—one for each of the family's three children. A blue bow tied at the top signifies that the soon-to-be princess is currently unmarried. Kate's coat of arms will be combined with William's after the wedding, the BBC notes.

Unlike most families whose offspring marry British royals, the Middletons weren't aristocratic enough to already have a coat of arms. "It's not compulsory, but as their daughter is marrying into the royal family she will have a need probably to use a coat of arms," says the Garter Principal King of Arms, from the College of Arms in the City of London, who helped the Middletons with the design. (More Kate Middleton stories.)