New coat of arms for Kate Middleton

The coat of arms will feature on the official royal wedding souvenir programme

THE family of Kate Middleton has had a coat of arms designed in time for her wedding to Prince Williams on April 29.

The coat of arms, which was commissioned by Miss Middleton's father, Michael, will feature on the official souvenir royal wedding programme.

The coat cost £4,400 to make and features three acorn sprigs, one for each of the Middletons' children, an idea Miss Middleton suggested.

Acorns were chosen because West Berkshire is surrounded by oak trees. Additionally, oak is a long-established symbol of both England and Strength.

Thomas Woodcock, Garter Principal King of Arms, from the College of Arms in the City of London, helped the Middletons with the design.

He said the gold chevron in the centre of the coat of arms signified Miss Middleton's mother, Carole, whose maiden name is Goldsmith.

White chevronels symbolise peaks and mountains, and the Middleton family's love of the Lake District and skiing.

Mr Woodcock added: "Mr and Mrs Middleton and their children took enormous interest in this design and, while its purpose is to provide a traditional heraldic identity for Catherine, as she marries into the Royal Family, the intent was to represent the whole Middleton family together, their home and aspects of what they enjoy.

"Every Coat of Arms has been designed to identify a person, school or organisation, and to last forever: heraldry is Europe's oldest, most visual and strictly regulated form of identity and it surrounds us in Britain, giving clues to our history and surroundings.

"After her marriage, Catherine Middleton will place her father's Arms beside those of her husband in what is known as an impaled Coat of Arms. This will require a Royal Warrant from The Queen."

The coat of arms will feature on the back of 150,000 copies of the royal wedding official souvenir programme, with Prince William's coat of arms on the front of the booklet.