British royal family Cadency

there no actual rules members of royal family, because arms theoretically decided ad hoc monarch. in practice, however, number of traditions practically invariably followed. @ birth, members of royal family have no arms. @ point during lives, @ age of eighteen, may granted arms of own. these arms of dominion of monarch label argent difference; label may have 3 or 5 points. since in theory new grant, label applied not shield crest , supporters ensure uniqueness. though de facto in english heraldry crest uncharged (although supposed in theory), accumulate more , more cadency marks each generation, marks becoming indistinguishable, crests of royal family shown charged.

each prince of wales uses plain white label , (since 1911) inescutcheon of ancient arms of principality of wales. traditionally, other members of family have used stock series of symbols (cross of saint george, heart, anchor, fleur-de-lys, etc.) on points of label ensure arms differ. labels of duke of cambridge , prince harry have 1 or more scallop shells taken arms of mother, diana, princess of wales; called innovation in fact use of maternal charges difference old practice, illustrated in border of france (azure semé-de-lys or) borne john of eltham, earl of cornwall (1316–36), younger son of edward ii of england , isabella of france.

it said labels argent peculiarly royal symbol, , eldest sons outside royal family should use labels of different colour, gules.