<P> The Royal Arms were controversially used by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as her official letterhead from c. 1997 . </P> <P> Since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, a separate version of the Royal Arms has been used in Scotland, giving the Scottish elements pride of place . </P> <P> The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the lion rampant of Scotland; in the second, the three lions passant guardant of England; and in the third, the harp of Ireland . </P> <P> The crest atop the Crown of Scotland is a red lion, seated and forward facing, itself wearing the Crown of Scotland and holding the two remaining elements of the Honours of Scotland, namely the Sword of State and the Sceptre of Scotland . This was also the crest used in the Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland . The motto, in Scots, appears above the crest, in the tradition of Scottish heraldry, and is an abbreviated form of the full motto: In My Defens God Me Defend . </P>

Coat of arms for the british royal family