Robert Watt was born in Picton, Ontario in 1945, son of George C. and Mary A. (Greer) Watt. He completed his high school education in West Vancouver High School and his university education at the University of British Columbia and and Carleton University in Ottawa, receiving his BA (Hon) and MA.

Married to Alison Jean Logan, 29 September 1973, they are the parents of two children, Michael Andrew Logan Watt and Catherine Nicola Logan Watt.

Robert worked as an archivist in the Public Archives of Canada, 1969-1970, was the Vancouver City Archivist, 1971-1973, the Curator of History, Vancouver Centennial Museum, 1973-1976, and Chief Curator until 1988. He received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and numerous international and national awards and honours for his work in Heraldic Sciences.

Upon his appointment as Chief Herald in 1988, Robert developed two special heraldic symbols--the Loyalist civil coronet coronet and military coronet for persons with proven descent from Loyalists or of incorporations founded by and/or influenced by Loyalists. The latter can be granted to individuals with a Loyalist ancestor who served in one of the Loyalist regiments. He retired from the post of Chief Herald of Canada in 2007.

Robert has published close to forty books, articles and pamphlets on historical, archival or heraldic topics.

He has a particular interest in architecture, stained glass and Heraldic stained glass as well as a deep appreciation for the need to honour and preserve the collections left to us by our ancestors.

Honours and awards

• 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
• 2008 appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO)
• 2001 Registration of the Grant of Arms, Canadian Heraldic Authority, Ottawa
• Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John
• Received the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
• 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubiliee Medal
• 1983 Grant of Arms, College of Arms, London
• 1981 Fellow of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada