Seal of approval for Greenwich's Royal Borough coat of arms

A final document confirming Greenwich's new status has been formally presented.

The final piece of the jigsaw that confirms the borough's status was formally presented at a reception at Woolwich Town Hall on 12 December 2012.

It was a hand-crafted illustrated document called a 'letters patent' which grants Royal Greenwich the right to use the Coat of Arms awarded by the Royal College of Arms, a part of the Royal Household.

The document follows the legal confirmation earlier in the year from Her Majesty The Queen that Greenwich was now a Royal Borough.

It was presented to Royal Greenwich by William Hunt, of the Royal College of Arms, who has been closely involved in the changes affecting Greenwich and the new Coat of Arms.

The illuminated document is illustrated with images reflecting the borough's military and naval heritage, and key local features, such as a squirrel representing Greenwich Park, and seahorses representing the River Thames. It is bordered with a ribbon of blue, representing the river.

The presentation was heralded by a bugler from the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich.

The Leader of the Royal Borough, Cllr Chris Roberts, told guests: "This is an important moment in our Royal Borough's history. We are honoured to receive the grant of the new Coat of Arms to the Royal Borough."

The document is now on public view at the Woolwich Town Hall in Wellington Street.

View the coat of arms and the Letters Patent