Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom

Design and principal elements

The central element is a quartered shield that combines symbols of the historic kingdoms that make up the United Kingdom. The first and fourth quarters display the three passant guardant lions associated with England, the second quarter shows the rampant lion within a double tressure associated with Scotland, and the third quarter bears a harp representing Ireland. A crowned helm and crest — a statant crowned lion — traditionally surmount the shield. Supporters to either side are a crowned English lion and a chained unicorn of Scotland. The Royal Arms also incorporate two mottos: the Order of the Garter's phrase around the shield and the monarch's motto below.

Heraldic components and variations

• Shield: quartered for England, Scotland and Ireland; see the England device at three lions of England and the Irish harp at harp for Ireland.
• Crest and helmet: a crowned lion on a royal crown; sometimes omitted in non-royal versions.
• Supporters: lion (England) and unicorn (Scotland), each carrying symbolic meanings in heraldry.
• Mottos and insignia: the Garter circlet and motto appear on many renderings; in Scotland a different arrangement and motto may be used.

History and development

The modern composition evolved over centuries as crowns, unions and claims changed. Elements date from medieval royal arms long associated with kings of England, the arms of the Scottish monarchy, and symbols of the Lordship and later Kingdom of Ireland. After political unions and dynastic unions, the arms were adapted to reflect the union of the crowns and later the United Kingdom itself. Heraldic practice and specific artistic renderings have been revised periodically to reflect constitutional and stylistic developments.

Uses, official forms and distinctions

Different forms of the Royal Arms are used depending on context. The sovereign's personal royal arms differ in a few details from the version used by government departments: government or public service variants commonly omit certain royal accoutrements such as the helmet and crest and are used to denote state authority rather than the private person of the monarch. In Scotland a distinct Scottish version is used for Scottish government business, showing variations in the placement of elements and mottos; see more about Scotland's usage at Scottish variants. The arms can also appear in simplified or monochrome forms for stationery, seals and coinage. Official guidance regulates when and how each variant may be displayed; use by private individuals and organisations is restricted.

Notable facts

• The ensemble of quartered symbols reflects historical precedents rather than current political jurisdictions.
• Heraldic differences exist for personal royal use, government use and Scottish use; the government form omits some royal-specific elements — a point explained in official guidance at the official coat of arms.
• Because the arms represent the sovereign of the United Kingdom, they are widely recognised as a symbol of state and monarchy across the realm.

While artistic details vary among reproductions, the core heraldic devices — the English lions, Scottish lion rampant and the Irish harp — remain the defining elements of the Royal Coat of Arms.