Meghan Markle's Royal Coat of Arms: All the Hidden Easter Eggs

Direct Honor

Featuring multiple tributes to Markle's home in Los Angeles, California, the coat of arms was gifted directly to her rather than to her father, Thomas Markle Sr., an act that breaks royal tradition.

Kate Middleton's father, Michael Middleotn, received his family's coat of arms about a week before her daughter's wedding to Prince William.

Meghan Helped with Design

The Suits alum reportedly worked closely with the College of Arms to create the design, which mixes personal and official symbolism, allowing for her personality to shine through the display.

The Background

In honor of Markle's hometown, the blue background of the shield represents the Pacific Ocean off the California coast.

Two Golden Rays

The two golden rays along the right side of the shield are in honor of the royal's sun-filled childhood days growing up in Southern California.

Three Quills

The three quills are of special meaning to Meghan, a symbol of her activism and love of the written word. The quills honor Markle's past work as a calligrapher.

She also shared her love for handwritten letter on her former lifestyle blog, The Tig: "I think handwritten notes are a lost art form. When I booked my first [TV] pilot, my dad wrote me a letter that I still have. The idea of someone taking the time to put pen to paper is really special."

The Flowers

On the grass beneath the shield sit a collection of golden poppies, California's state flower, along with wintersweet, flowers that grow at Kensington Palace. The combination represents Markle's California roots blending with her new life and duties in the British Royal Family.

The Supporter

It is customary for supporters of the shield to be assigned to members of the royal family to have one of their husband's supporter, the lion, to appear with one of themselves.

Markle's is a songbird, a symbol of communication set to reflect her outspoken nature and passion for activism. The songbird is also seen in mid-flight, which could be a nod to her independent nature and a reflection of how much she has accomplished on her own.

How it will be displayed

The coat of arms of a married woman is traditionally shown with that of her husband and the two are are technically termed to be impaled, which means they are placed side by side in the same shield.

Meghan's other honors

Along with now being known as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Markle also received a Coronet laid down by a Royal Warrant of 1917 for the sons and daughters of the Heir Apparent. It is composed of two crosses patée, four fleurs-de-lys and two strawberry leaves.

Conjugal Coat of Arms

Next for Markle will be for her and Harry to receive their "conjugal coat of arms." The honor typically takes a few years before it is unveiled, but is set to symbolize the royal union.