The Arms

The royal arms of the United Kingdom in their present form date from the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837, when the arms of the German kingdom of Hanover were removed (because, as a woman, Victoria could not inherit the crown of Hanover).

The arms quarter the arms of England (in the first and fourth quarters), Scotland and Ireland. Unfortunately Wales is not represented, although it is represented in the arms of the Prince of Wales.

Blazon

Shield: Quarterly, first and fourth Gules three Lions passant gardant in pale Or armed and langued Azure (for England), second quarter Or a Lion rampant within a double tressure flory-counter-flory Gules (for Scotland), third quarter Azure a Harp Or stringed Argent (for Ireland)

Crest: Upon the Royal helm the Imperial Crown Proper, thereon a Lion statant gardant Or imperially crowned Proper

Mantling: Or and Ermine

Supporters: Dexter: a Lion rampant gardant Or crowned as the Crest, sinister a Unicorn Argent armed, crined and unguled Proper, gorged with a Coronet Or composed of Crosses patées and Fleurs-de-lis a Chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back also Or.

Motto: Dieu at mon droit (God and my right)