We’ll call it iCrown. Sir Jony Ive, former chief designer of Apple and companion of Steve Jobs, is now the man behind the official emblem for the coronation of King Charles.
On Friday, the royal family’s website unveiled the emblem, created by Ive and his design collective LoveFrom. It features a blue crown surrounded by red plant shapes that symbolize the nations of the United Kingdom.
“The design was inspired by King Charles’ love of the planet, nature and his deep concern for the natural world,” Ive is quoted as saying on the site. “The emblem speaks to the happy optimism of spring and … the gentle modesty of these natural forms combine to define an emblem that acknowledges both the joy and profound importance of this occasion.”
Plants shown are narcissus, for Wales; the rose, for England; clover, for Northern Ireland; and thistle, for Scotland.
For nearly a quarter of a century, Ive led design efforts for Apple, where he worked on a number of iconic products, including the iMac, iPod, iPhone and MacBook. He also played a role in the distinctive design of Apple stores and the donut-shaped Apple Park headquarters near Silicon Valley.
Ive and LoveFrom previously designed a print for Charles’ Terra Carta campaign, which calls on corporations to work to create sustainable markets.
The coronation emblem will be unveiled during events in May, the site said. Coronation events include a celebratory concert at Windsor Castle scheduled for May 7 and the actual coronation service scheduled for May 6 at Westminster Abbey. Charles immediately succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth, to the throne after her death last September, but he will be ceremonially crowned at the Abbey.
The design will also appear online, on social media, etc. And judging by the logo’s usage guidelines (PDF), we might see it on flags, teapots, sweets (aka umbrellas), water bottles, t-shirts and more. Who knows? Maybe we’ll even see it on an iPhone case or two.
Correction, 5:04 PM PT: The coronation ceremony is scheduled for May 6.