Q: DJ - Philippines
What is the coat of arms of the modern Monarchy, and where can I download it from? Can you explain what the symbols within it mean?
The function of the Royal coat of arms is to identify the person who is Head of State. In respect of the United Kingdom, the Royal arms are borne only by the Sovereign. They are used in many ways in connection with the administration and government of the country, for instance on coins, in churches and on public buildings. They are familiar to most people as they appear on the products and goods of Royal Warrant holders.
The Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom has evolved over many years and reflects the history of the Monarchy and of the country. In the design the shield shows the various royal emblems of different parts of the United Kingdom: the three lions of England in the first and fourth quarters, the lion of Scotland in the second and the harp of Ireland in the third. It is surrounded by a garter bearing the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense ('Evil to him who evil thinks'), which symbolises the Order of the Garter, an ancient order of knighthood of which the Queen is Sovereign. The shield is supported by the English lion and Scottish unicorn and is surmounted by the Royal crown. Below it appears the motto of the Sovereign, Dieu et mon droit ('God and my right'). The plant badges of the United Kingdom - rose, thistle and shamrock - are often displayed beneath the shield.
Separate Scottish and English quarterings of the Royal arms originate from the Union of the Crown in 1603. The Scottish version of the Royal coat of arms shows the lion of Scotland in the first and fourth quarters, with that of England being in the second. The harp of Ireland is in the third quarter. The mottoes read "In defence" and "No one will attack me with impunity". From the times of the Stuart kings, the Scottish quarterings have been used for official purposes in Scotland (for example, on official buildings and official publications).
The special position of Wales as a Principality was recognised by the creation of the Prince of Wales long before the incorporation of the quarterings for Scotland and Ireland in the Royal arms. The arms of the Prince of Wales show the arms of the ancient Principality in the centre as well as these quarterings.
Coats of arms of members of the Royal Family are broadly similar to The Queen's with small differences to identify them.
The coat of arms cannot be downloaded as it is for use by The Queen only.
Q: Jenny King - Morayshire
I have heard that a train station was once built for the Royal Family in Wolferton. Is this true, and, if so, is it still a working station?
Wolferton Station is situated just over two miles from Sandringham House in Norfolk. Wolferton served for well over half a century as one of the few purpose-built Royal stations. Its origins go back to the opening of the Kings Lynn to Hunstanton branch railway line in 1862, the year in which the Sandringham Estate was purchased for the young Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII).
From 1862 to 1900 the station grew in importance as the railway link between Sandringham and London, and in 1898 the buildings were rebuilt in Tudor style by W. N. Ashbee, the architect of the Great Eastern Railway, in close collaboration with the Prince of Wales.
The late Victorian and Edwardian years between 1884 and 1911 saw the heyday of the station, when 645 Royal Trains arrived at Wolferton, conveying Queen Victoria and many of the other crowned heads of Europe to Sandringham, including the German Emperor Wilhelm II and the future Russian Emperor Nicholas II. Comings and goings at the station included most Prime Ministers and leading politicians of those years.
Wolferton Station has experienced many great Royal occasions. In 1863 the Prince of Wales and his bride Princess Alexandra of Denmark (later Queen Alexandra) arrived by the Royal Train for Sandringham after their marriage and honeymoon. In 1925 the funeral procession of Queen Alexandra departed from the station on its way to London. The Royal Train conveyed the body of King George V to London for his State funeral in 1936, and in 1952 the funeral train of King George VI also began its journey at Wolferton.
In later years the station was regularly used by the Royal Family, becoming associated in particular with the traditional Christmas and New Year holidays at Sandringham. The last Royal Train to use Wolferton was in 1966, and the railway branch line closed in 1969. Since 1967 the station buildings have been privately owned and in 1977 were reopened as a museum.
Q: Htoo - California, USA
Why is Prince Michael of Kent not included in the succession line on the official website, even though both of his children are listed?
On 30 June 1978 Prince Michael married Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz in the Rathaus (Town Hall) at Vienna. The fact that she was a Roman Catholic meant that he had to relinquish his right of succession, as laid down by the 1701 Act of Settlement. However, his children - Lord Frederick Windsor (b. 1979) and Lady Gabriella Windsor (b. 1981) - have been brought up in the Church of England and so have retained their right of succession.
Q: Geri DiTella - Philadelphia, PA
My girlfriend has been collecting Moorcroft pottery and some of the older pieces are labelled "Potter to the Queen Mother". They are very lovely. Is there an official potter to the Queen today and how is someone chosen for that distinguished honor?
A number of tableware, china and porcelain makers were granted Royal Warrants by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, during her lifetime. These warrants remain valid until 2007, five years after her death. Though Moorcroft has not retained its warrant, current warrant holders include The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company and Royal Albert Ltd. The Queen has also granted a number of Royal warrants which can be found on the Royal warrants website.
Q: Robert - Glasgow
I have heard the phrase 'Sandringham Time' used. What does this refer to?
It was Edward VII who introduced what became known as ST - Sandringham Time. The King's idea was to make the most of the winter daylight hours for his passion for shooting and so the clocks all over the Sandringham Estate were advanced by half an hour. King George V maintained this custom, but King Edward VIII abolished it on his accession in 1936.
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