London: Prince Harry´s wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, received a new tailor-made official coat of arms on Friday that pays homage to her Californian roots.
The crest has a blue background that "represents the Pacific Ocean off the California coast," Kensington Palace, the couple´s residence, said in a statement.
Two golden rays on the shield "are symbolic of the sunshine of The Duchess´s home state" and three quills "represent communication and the power of words".
"Beneath the shield on the grass sits a collection of golden poppies, California´s state flower, and wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace," it said.
The coat of arms includes a songbird "with sings elevated as if flying and an open beak" -- also a symbolic representation of the power of communication.
"The Duchess of Sussex took a great interest in the design," Thomas Woodcock, whose official title of "Garter King of Arms" represents the most senior role in British heraldry, said in the statement.
Meghan´s tradition-defying wedding to Harry last Saturday included elements of her African-American heritage and she walked part of the way up the aisle on her own in what was seen as a feminist statement.
In her biography on the royal family´s website, Meghan emphasised her commitment to women´s empowerment and stated: "I am proud to be a woman and a feminist".
Meghan Markle was born in Los Angeles on August 4, 1981 and attended Hollywood´s Immaculate Heart High School before studying at Northwestern University and launching her film career.
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