Editing Cadency (section)

=== British royal family ===
{{main|Cadency labels of the British royal family}}

<gallery>
File:Arms of the United Kingdom.svg|'''Arms of [[Charles III|The King]]'''
File:Royal Arms of the United Kingdom (Scotland).svg|'''Arms of [[Charles III|The King]] (in Scotland)'''
File:Arms of the Prince of Wales.svg|Arms of the [[William, Prince of Wales|Prince of Wales]]
File:Shield of Arms of the Duke of Rothesay.svg|Arms of the [[William, Prince of Wales|Prince of Wales]] (in Scotland, as [[Duke of Rothesay]])
File:Arms of Harry, Duke of Sussex.svg|Arms of the [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex|Duke of Sussex]]
File:Arms of Andrew, Duke of York.svg|Arms of the [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Duke of York]]
File:Arms of Beatrice of York.svg|Arms of [[Princess Beatrice of York|Princess Beatrice]]
File:Arms of Eugenie of York.svg| Arms of [[Princess Eugenie of York|Princess Eugenie]]
File:Arms of Edward, Earl of Wessex.svg|Arms of the [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]]
File:Arms of Anne, the Princess Royal.svg|Arms of the [[Anne, Princess Royal|Princess Royal]]
File:Arms of Richard, Duke of Gloucester.svg|Arms of the [[Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester|Duke of Gloucester]]
File:Arms of Edward, Duke of Kent.svg|Arms of the  [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent|Duke of Kent]]
File:Arms of Michael of Kent.svg|Arms of [[Prince Michael of Kent|Prince Michael]]
File:Arms of Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy.svg| Arms of [[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy|Princess Alexandra]]
</gallery>

There are no actual "rules" for members of the [[royal family]], because their arms are theoretically decided ''ad hoc'' by the monarch. In practice, however, a number of traditions are practically invariably followed. At birth, members of the royal family have no arms. At some point during their lives, generally at the age of eighteen, they may be granted arms of their own. These will always be the "[[arms of dominion]]" of the monarch with a [[label (heraldry)|label]] [[argent]] for difference; the label may have three or five points. Since this is in theory a new grant, the label is applied not only to the shield but also to the [[crest (heraldry)|crest]] and the supporters to ensure uniqueness.  Though ''de facto'' in English heraldry the crest is uncharged (although it is supposed to be in theory), as it would accumulate more and more cadency marks with each generation, the marks eventually becoming indistinguishable, the crests of the royal family are always shown as charged.

Each [[Prince of Wales]] uses a plain white label and (since 1911) an [[inescutcheon]] of the ancient [[Coat of arms of the Principality of Wales|arms of the Principality of Wales]]. Traditionally, the other members of the family have used a stock series of symbols (cross of [[Saint George]], [[heart (symbol)|heart]], [[anchor]], [[fleur-de-lys]], etc.) on the points of the label to ensure that their arms differ. The label of the [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex|Duke of Sussex]] has three [[scallop]] shells taken from the arms of his mother, [[Diana, Princess of Wales]];<ref>[http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/William.htm Arms of Princes William and Harry, showing differencing] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527221941/http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/William.htm |date=27 May 2008 }}</ref> this is sometimes called an innovation but in fact the use of maternal [[charge (heraldry)|charges]] for difference is a very old practice, illustrated in the "border of France" (''azure semé-de-lys or'') borne by [[John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall]] (1316–36), younger son of [[Edward II of England]] and [[Isabella of France]].

It is often said that labels argent are a peculiarly royal symbol, and that eldest sons outside the royal family should use labels of a different colour, usually [[gules]].