King Charles’ monogram is revealed

King Charles III’s new monogram was revealed Tuesday as the official period of mourning for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, came to a close.

The emblem, known as the king’s cypher, will appear on government buildings, state documents and some post boxes in the coming months and years. It features the initial C intertwined with the letter R for Rex, the Latin word for king. The Roman numeral III sits in the centre of the R and a crown hovers above the letters.

The symbol was selected from a series of designs prepared by the College of Arms, a 500-year-old body that oversees the issuance of new coats of arms and other aspects of heraldry in England. A Scottish version of the cypher features the Scottish Crown, and was approved by Lord Lyon King of Arms, who has similar responsibilities.