Royal fans have now been given the first look at the official invitations being sent out for the King and Queen’s coronation in May.
The elaborate design was created by heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator Andrew Jamieson, a Brother of the Art Workers’ Guild which the King is an Honorary Member.
And there are a number of notable inclusions featured on the invitation, which is elaborately decorated with foliage.
Included is an image of the Green Man, “an ancient figure from British folklore, symbolic of spring and rebirth, to celebrate the new reign”.
Foliage made of hawthorn, ivy, and oak creates the shape of the Green Man, as well as the “emblematic flowers” of the United Kingdom, according to Buckingham Palace.
More flowers adorn the outer edge of the invitation to create a British wildflower meadow, and they were all painted in groups of three to signify that the king is the third monarch to bear the name Charles.
The meadow also includes lily of the valley, cornflowers, wild strawberries, dog roses, bluebells, and a sprig of rosemary for remembrance.
And eagle-eyed fans also noted the use of acorns – a possible link to the Princess of Wales’s family.
Of course, acorns have long been used to represent the English Oak, a symbol of strength and longevity.
However, they also feature prominently in the Middleton family’s coat of arms.
The Middletons received a coat of arms ahead of Kate’s wedding to Prince William in 2011.
They worked closely with the College of Arms throughout the design process to create a Coat of Arms that was personal to them and visually identified them as a family.
The three acorns represent Carole and Michael’s three children – Kate, Pippa and James. Acorns were chosen because the area in which the children were brought up West Berkshire, England is surrounded by oak trees. Additionally, oak is a long-established symbol of both ‘England’ and ‘Strength.’
The gold chevron, which sits at the centre of the design, represents Carole, whose maiden name is Goldsmith.
The two thinner chevrons, which sit on either side of the gold chevron, allude to hills and mountains and represent outdoor pursuits that the family enjoy together. And the colours blue and red were chosen as they are the principal colours of the flag of the United Kingdom.Â
