THE full status of the Duchess of Cornwall in the royal family has been marked with the issue of a new coat of arms.

It features a blue boar standing on its hind legs opposite a roaring lion. The severed head of a second wild pig is portrayed on a shield between them.

The coat of arms, with its elaborate heraldic symbols, features elements taken from the arms both of her father, Major Bruce Shand, and her husband, the Prince of Wales.

Clarence House said yesterday the Queen, who approved the coat of arms, had taken a “keen interest” in its development along with Charles and Camilla.

Its design was released yesterday to coincide with Camilla’s 58th birthday.

The shield at the centre is flanked by a “royal lion supporter” from Charles and the boar on its hind legs, complete with golden tusks, from the Shand family emblem.

Camilla is entitled to use the arms on her letterhead, as well as any flags and personal possessions. It also features an arched crown, which she is entitled to use as the wife of the heir to the throne.

Peter Gwynn-Jones, garter principal king of arms and the senior heraldic official in England, said: “It has been a great pleasure to work on preparing the duchess’s coat of arms and to ensure the identity of her own family is clearly displayed in this new form.”

Coats of arms used to be associated mainly with the aristocracy but now heralds draw them up for a far broader mix of social classes. Recipients in recent years have included Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Paul McCartney.

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