Thought this article was one of the best about the new Coat of Arms used by the Middleton Family, which of course includes daughter Catherine, Kate, Prince William's wife, the Duchess of Cambridge.
DAILY MAIL : MIDDLETON FAMILY COAT OF ARMS link
The simple design features 3 acorns to represent the Middleton's three children.
Illustrations and this:
..."Coats of Arms came into being during medieval tournaments like jousting when knights would be recognised by the motifs on their shields or helmets and heralds quickly learnt the different ones in use, taking up responsibility for the control of their use.
Their use declined in competition and battle but they became more widely used in society.
The College of Arms, a branch of the Royal household, is the official body in the UK that deals with coats of arms and their team of experts - funded by the fees they charge and not taxpayers money - design and research heraldic or genealogical issues.
The arms are given for free while the money people pay is for the research and design of the coat of arms.
However, that doesn't mean that just anybody can pay the fee and get a coat of arms. The cumulative knowledge of the Earl Marshal gathered over hundreds of years has given them the skill of tactfully suggesting that people don't proceed with their application.
The late Peter Gwynn-Jones, a former Garter King of Arms, once said: 'In practice, eligibility depends upon holding a civil or military commission, a sound university degree or professional qualification, or having achieved some measure of distinction in a field beneficial to society as a whole.'..."
