News & Grants - College of Arms
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: funeral
27 September 2022Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle.
Edward, Duke of Norfolk, G.C.V.O., Earl Marshal, was responsible for the arrangements relating to the lying-in-state, funeral and committal of Her late Majesty.
The State Funeral of Her Majesty took place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September 2022. Following the Funeral, the Coffin travelled in Procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the Coffin travelled to Windsor and once there, the State Hearse travelled in Procession to St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle via the Long Walk. A Committal Service took place in St George's Chapel. Information about the funeral and committal can be seen here. The Officers of Arms were in attendance.
At the conclusion of the Committal Service, David White, Garter King of Arms, proclaimed the styles and titles of Her late Majesty.
Royal Cypher
27 September 2022Cypher of King Charles III
His Majesty the King’s Cypher was announced today.
The cypher consists of the initial of the monarch’s name, Charles, and title, Rex, the Latin for King, together with his regnal number in Roman numerals - all beneath a representation of the Crown.
The cypher is the personal property of His Majesty and the design was selected by him from a series of ten designs prepared by the College of Arms.
The form of stylised Crown used in His Majesty’s cypher is what is sometimes termed a ‘Tudor Crown’ and differs from the stylised Crown used by the late Queen Elizabeth II which, with its higher and dipping arches, was closer in form to St Edward’s Crown.
On 22 June 2022, a Service of Thanksgiving for the birth and lasting legacy of the Elizabethan Statesman William Cecil, Lord Burghley, was held at Westminster Abbey. As part of the Service, David White, Garter Principal King of Arms, read out a proclamation of Lord Burghley's styles and titles as follows:
"Laud and praise be given unto Almighty God who by His divine power hath translated out of this transitory life unto His Eternal Glory the Right Honourable William (Cecil) Baron Burghley, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Lord High Treasurer of England, sometime Secretary of State to the Queen’s Majesty, One of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, Her Majesty’s Lieutenant for the County of Lincoln, Her Majesty’s Lieutenant for the County of Essex, Her Majesty’s Lieutenant for the County of Hertford, Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries, High Steward of Westminster, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and Chancellor of the University of Dublin"
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley by Unknown artist
oil on panel, after 1587
NPG 362 © National Portrait Gallery, London
Armed Forces Day
Her Majesty's Government has indicated that to mark Armed Forces Week, Government buildings are encouraged to fly the Armed Forces Day Flag from Monday 20 June to Saturday 25 June inclusive.
Where buildings have two flag poles, the Union flag should be flown in the senior position.
If there is one flagpole and it is thought desirable to fly both flags, the Union flag should be flown above the Armed Forces Day Flag.
London Pride
Whitehall Government Buildings may also wish to fly the Rainbow Flag from Monday 27 June - Saturday 2 July inclusive to celebrate London Pride. If more than one flag is flown, the Union flag should be in the senior position.
Local authorities and other bodies and individuals are not bound by flag-flying instructions but may wish to follow them. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.
Enquiries regarding the correct protocols for the flying of Union and other flags should be addressed to the Officer in Waiting at the College of Arms in the first instance.
Platinum Jubilee
31 May 2022
The Kings, Heralds and Pursuivants of Arms of the College of Arms join with the whole nation in congratulating Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee.
In celebration of Her Majesty's 70 years of devoted service, many have decided to fly the Union flag from 08.00 on Thursday 2 June until 20.00 on Sunday 5 June. Enquiries regarding the correct protocols for the flying of Union and other flags should be addressed to the Officer in Waiting at the College of Arms in the first instance.
