The Anchor And The Torteaux: 5 Shocking Secrets Behind The Coat Of Arms Of The Dukes Of York

The Coat of Arms of the Dukes of York is far more than a simple royal emblem; it is a meticulously crafted historical document, a visual timeline of power, succession, and controversy within the British Monarchy. As of today, December 18, 2025, the heraldic achievement associated with the current Duke of York, Prince Andrew, remains a subject of intense scrutiny, especially following the forfeiture of his military affiliations and royal patronages in January 2022. The arms themselves—a subtle variation of the Royal Arms—tell a fascinating story of a title reserved for the second son of the Sovereign, each generation marked by a unique, permanent heraldic ‘difference’ that distinguishes their lineage.

This article dives deep into the ancient art of heraldry to uncover the unique symbols, from the medieval *torteaux* to the modern *anchor*, that have defined the arms of the Dukes of York for over six centuries. Understanding these symbols is key to unlocking the complex history of one of the most senior peerages in the United Kingdom, a title inextricably linked to the legendary House of York and the Wars of the Roses.

The Current Duke of York: Prince Andrew's Heraldic Achievement

The most recent and perhaps most controversial holder of the title is Prince Andrew, Duke of York. His personal coat of arms, granted to him in 1963 by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, follows the strict rules of Royal Heraldry, using the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom as a base and applying a specific mark of cadency, known as a *label of difference*, to distinguish his arms from those of the Sovereign.

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A Royal Shield Differenced by a Naval Anchor

The shield itself is the standard Royal Arms: quarterly, featuring the three lions of England (Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or) in the first and fourth quarters, the lion rampant of Scotland (Or, a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory Gules) in the second, and the harp of Ireland (Azure, a harp Or stringed Argent) in the third.

The crucial distinction is the Label of Difference. Prince Andrew's label is *Argent* (silver/white), has three points (indicating a child of the Sovereign), and the central point is charged with an Anchor Azure (a blue anchor).

• The Anchor Symbolism: The blue anchor is a direct reference to Prince Andrew's long and distinguished career in the Royal Navy, where he served as a helicopter pilot and commander, including service during the Falklands War.
• The Full Achievement: As a Prince of the United Kingdom and a Knight of the Garter, the full heraldic achievement includes the Royal Crest (a lion statant guardant Or, royally crowned), the Royal Supporters (the crowned Lion of England and the Unicorn of Scotland), and the motto *Dieu et mon Droit* (God and my right), all displayed beneath a Coronet of a Child of the Sovereign. The shield is also often encircled by the Garter of the Order of the Garter.

The current political status of the Duke of York has led to an unprecedented situation regarding his heraldry. While he retains the title of Duke of York, the removal of his banner of arms from places like Windsor Castle in 2022 highlights the symbolic power of heraldry and its direct link to royal status and public perception.

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The Medieval Origins: The Plantagenet Dukes and the Torteaux

The title of Duke of York was first created in 1385 for Edmund of Langley, the fourth surviving son of King Edward III. This creation established the tradition of the Duke of York being a cadet branch of the Royal Family, which necessitated a unique coat of arms to show both their royal descent and their place in the line of succession.

1. Edmund of Langley: The First Duke's Mark of Cadency

As the first Duke, Edmund of Langley's arms were the Royal Arms of the time—which featured the arms of France (France Modern: Azure, three fleurs-de-lis Or) and the arms of England (Gules, three lions passant guardant Or) quarterly.

His difference was a Label of three points Argent (silver/white). Crucially, this label was charged with three Torteaux (red discs) on each point.

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• The Torteaux Difference: The use of the *torteaux* (a red roundel in heraldry) was the specific charge chosen to distinguish the arms of Edmund of Langley. This mark was passed down through the House of York, signifying their direct descent from the first Duke.
• The White Rose of York: While not part of the primary shield, Edmund of Langley also famously adopted the White Rose of York as his heraldic badge, a symbol that would later become the rallying cry for the House of York during the tumultuous Wars of the Roses against the House of Lancaster (who used the Red Rose).

2. Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York: The Claim to the Throne

The arms of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, were highly significant, as he was the father of two future kings (Edward IV and Richard III) and a key figure in the Wars of the Roses. His shield featured the same Royal Arms and the white label of three points, each charged with three Torteaux.

The consistency of the *torteaux* label for the Plantagenet Dukes of York solidified this specific difference as the historic mark of the Duchy of York line, a powerful visual claim to their royal blood and their position as the senior branch of the Plantagenet dynasty after the Lancastrian usurpation.

The Modern Era: From James II to Prince George

The title of Duke of York has been recreated eight times since 1385, and each subsequent royal prince who has held the title has received a unique heraldic difference, showcasing the flexibility and precision of the College of Arms in maintaining the rules of cadency.

3. James II (as Duke of York): The Second Son's Arms

Before ascending the throne, James Stuart, the future King James II and VII, held the title of Duke of York. As the second surviving son of King Charles I, his arms would have been the Royal Arms differenced by a plain Label of three points Argent, with the central point charged with a Cross Gules (a red cross). This was the traditional difference for the second son of the Sovereign.

4. George V (as Duke of York): The Label of the Third Son

The future King George V, who held the title from 1892 to 1901, was originally the second son of the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII) and thus the third in the line of succession. His arms as Duke of York were the Royal Arms, differenced by a label of three points *Argent*, the central point charged with an Anchor Azure (like Prince Andrew’s), and the outer points charged with a Cross Gules. This combination was unique to him.

5. The Symbolism of the Anchor: A Modern Tradition

The adoption of the anchor by both King George V (as Duke of York) and Prince Andrew (the current Duke of York) is a significant modern heraldic tradition. It is a clear nod to their shared history of service in the Royal Navy. The anchor transforms the abstract concept of a mark of cadency into a personal, biographical symbol, connecting the Duke’s personal career to the ancient lineage of his royal title.

The coat of arms of the Dukes of York is a masterclass in heraldic history. It is a system that ensures that every royal descendant, from the medieval Edmund of Langley to the current Prince Andrew, is visually connected to the Royal Arms while simultaneously being uniquely identified by their own Label of difference. Whether it is the red *torteaux* of the House of York or the blue *anchor* of the modern Navy man, each symbol holds a vital clue to the history of the Duchy of York and the complex rules of British heraldry and royal succession.

Relevant Entities and Keywords: *Royal Arms*, *Label of difference*, *Blazon*, *Heraldry*, *College of Arms*, *Order of the Garter*, *White Rose of York*, *Edmund of Langley*, *Richard Plantagenet*, *House of York*, *Prince Andrew*, *Anchor Azure*, *Torteaux Gules*, *France Modern*, *England*, *Garter King of Arms*, *Duchy of York*, *Mark of Cadency*, *Plantagenet Dynasty*, *Wars of the Roses*, *James II*, *King George V*, *Royal Navy*, *Sovereign*, *Succession*, *Coronet*, *Royal Crest*, *Supporters*.