The coat of arms was unveiled to mark Camilla's 58th birthday

The design, in bright blue, red, gold and green, shows both the coat of arms of her husband Prince Charles and her father, Major Bruce Shand.

The Queen, who authorised the coat of arms, was said to take a "keen interest" in its design, along with Charles and Camilla.

It was unveiled to mark Camilla's 58th birthday.

Family identity

Its central shield is divided down the middle, showing elements from Charles' own arms.

The shield is flanked by the "Royal lion supporter" from the Prince's arms on the left, and a boar from Major Shand's arms on the right.

Camilla's coat of arms also features a single arched crown, taken from Charles' own arms.

She is entitled to use the arched crown as the heir apparent's wife, because of a warrant issued by King Charles II in 1661.

Peter Gwynn-Jones, Garter Principal King of Arms and responsible to the Queen for heraldry, said: "It has been a great pleasure to work on preparing the Duchess's coat of arms and to ensure that the identity of her own family is clearly displayed in this new form."

In England, new coats of arms are granted by the Earl Marshal of the College of Arms.

There are no fixed criteria for eligibility, but awards and honours, periods of military service, academic or professional qualifications and charity work are all taken into account.