The Royal Arms can be seen on buildings or items that represent the Crown, for instance in UK court rooms or on the nation's coins.
The British Government is officially known as ‘Her Majesty’s Government’, so the royal standard also features on official buildings and documents, such as Embassy entrances and British passports.
The shield at its centre bears the emblems of the members of the United Kingdom and is surrounded by a belt or ‘garter’ featuring the motto ‘HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE’ ('Evil to him who evil thinks’).
The shield is supported by the Lion of England and the Unicorn of Scotland and is topped by a crowned golden lion.
The lion and unicorn stand upon a grassy frame, known as a compartment, which is planted with further national symbols; the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, and the shamrock of Ireland.
At the base of the compartment, and around the top of the coin’s design, sits the motto of the monarch of the United Kingdom, ‘DIEU ET MON DROIT’, which means ‘God and my right’.