The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment, Canadian Army

THE PRINCESS OF WALES' OWN REGIMENT, CANADIAN ARMY

(Badge)

Arms of The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment, Canadian Army

(Regimental Colours)

Official blazon

Badge: Gules the letters PWOR between two barrulets Or all within an annulus Azure fimbriated and inscribed NUNQUAM CEDE in letters Argent and ensigned by a beaver couchant proper, the whole surmounting three ostrich feathers Argent and issuant from a coronet of crosses pattée and fleurs-de-lis enfiled by the feathers their tips over a scroll Azure fimbriated and inscribed ICH DIEN in letters Argent.
Motto: NUNQUAM CEDE.

Origin/meaning

The coronet and feathers allude to the regiment’s name, and the beaver represents service to Canada. During the Hundred Years’ War, Edward the Black Prince, the first Prince of Wales (eldest son of Edward III), defeated the Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia (eldest son of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII), at the Battle of Crécy. After the battle, the prince adopted the three white ostrich plumes from the badge of his defeated foe as the badge of the heir apparent. He also adopted the dead king’s motto “ICH DIEN” (I serve). “PWOR” is an abbreviated form of the regimental title and “NUNQUAM CEDE” is the motto of the regiment. The Motto translates as “Never surrender”.

The Blazon of the badge was confirmed by the Canadian Heraldic Authority on May 15, 2008.

Literature: Image from https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/military-identity-system/canadian-forces-badges/