Coat of Arms of Queensland - Development and Change

Development and Change

The development of the coat of arms continued during the year and by the end of 1893, the Maltese Cross impaled with the St Edward's Crown had been incorporated, above the shield in between the two stalks of sugar cane. The alterations continued over the years because the crown that is impaled upon the Maltese cross keeps in synchronisation with the monarch in England, due to the switching of crowns. The Imperial State Crown or Tudor Crown, and the St. Edward's Crown are the two coronation crowns that have been used since Charles II's restoration in 1660.

Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George VI used the Imperial Crown, whilst George V and Elizabeth II used the St Edward's Crown. Therefore between the years of 1893–1910 and 1936–1952, the Imperial crown was bestowed upon the cross; between the years of 1910–1936 and from 1952 onwards, it was the Saint Edward's crown.

The final and current addition to the coat of arms was created in 1977, during the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, with the granting of supporting animal. A Red Deer, to represent the old world and it is a classic animal of heraldry; and a Brolga, which represents the native population and it is the state's official bird.