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+# v1.2 Changelog
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+- [v1.2.0-rc1](#v120-rc1)
+
+# v1.2.0-rc1
+
+We expect that this release candidate is quite close to the final v1.2.0
+release. However, subsequent breaking API changes are still possible.
+
+This release candidate is suitable for implementors, but we do not recommend
+shipping products based on a release candidate API due to the possibility of
+incompatible changes prior to the final release. The following represents the
+changes since v1.1.0:
+
+## Release Cycle changes
+
+This was our first release using a new [release
+cycle](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/contributing/release-cycle/) that is
+meant to make Gateway API releases more frequent and predictable.
+
+There are now four phases:
+
+* **Scoping**: 4-6 weeks, where the maintainers and community determine the set
+  of features we want to include in the release. A key deliverable here is
+  ensuring that the Experimental channel does not get any bigger than it already
+  is; we want to ensure that features make their way to Standard or are removed.
+* **GEP Iteration and Review**: 5-7 weeks, where we work to update GEPs, and
+  solidify and meet graduation criteria for in-scope GEPs.
+* **API Refinement and Documentation**: 3-5 weeks, where we translate proposed
+  changes from GEPs into changes to both the API specification and
+  documentation.
+* **SIG-Network Review and Release Candidates**: 2-4 weeks, where we perform our
+  required upstream reviews, get any further required changes in, and release
+  our release candidates so that implementations can get started with work on
+  the new features asap.
+
+For all the detail about this, please see the [Release Cycle
+docs](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/contributing/release-cycle/).
+
+Relevant PRs:
+* Adding Release Cycle Documentation by @robscott in
+  [#3063](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3063)
+
+## Standard Channel Additions and Changes
+
+The Standard channel is Gateway API's set of maximally-stable install files.
+Only features with the best testing and support are added to the standard
+channel. This channel should be considered GA or stable, and future changes will
+be fully backwards compatible.
+
+### Infrastructure Labels and Annotations 🎉
+
+[GEP-1867](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/geps/gep-1867/) added an
+`infrastructure` stanza to Gateway objects that is intended to carry
+infrastructure configuration specific to that Gateway object.
+
+[GEP-1762](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/geps/gep-1762/) adds a section for
+`labels` and `annotations` to this stanza that specifies labels and annotations
+to be annotated to all resources created to fulfill that Gateway request.
+
+This feature can be used to affect the labels and annotations created on
+LoadBalancer Services by in-cluster implementations to fulfill the Gateway
+contract or by Cloud Load Balancing resources created by Cloud Providers.
+
+This feature has graduated to Standard and is now considered GA or Stable.
+
+This feature's name for conformance tests and GatewayClass status reporting is
+`GatewayInfrastructurePropagation`.
+
+This feature's status is **Extended**, meaning that it is _optional_ for
+implementations to support. If you're using Experimental Channel, you can refer
+to the `supportedFeatures` field in the `status` of any GatewayClass.
+
+Relevant PRs:
+* Remove experimental from gateway infrastructure by @keithmattix in
+  [#3272](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3272)
+* Validation for label keys and values according to Kubernetes specification by
+  @snorwin in [#3284](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3284)
+
+### HTTPRoute Timeouts and Durations 🎉
+
+The HTTPRoute `Timeouts` field on Route Rules has graduated to Standard and is
+now considered GA or Stable.
+
+This field allows you to configure overall Request Timeouts as well as Backend
+Request Timeouts. For more information, refer to [GEP
+1742](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/geps/gep-1742/).
+
+The relevant feature names this for conformance tests and GatewayClass status
+reporting are:
+
+* `HTTPRouteRequestTimeout` for `httproute.spec.rules[].timeouts.request`
+* `HTTPRouteBackendTimeout` for `httproute.spec.rules[].timeouts.backendRequest`
+
+This feature's status is **Extended**, meaning that it is _optional_ for
+implementations to support. If you're using Experimental Channel, you can refer
+to the `supportedFeatures` field in the `status` of any GatewayClass.
+
+Relevant PRs:
+* Graduate GEP-2257 and GEP-1742 to standard by @kflynn in
+  [#3210](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3210)
+* GEP2257 Duration parsing by @xtineskim in
+  [#3271](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3271)
+
+### BackendProtocol Support 🎉
+
+The previous coordinated work across both Gateway API and upstream Kubernetes
+which defined 3 new values for the AppProtocol field on Service Ports has
+graduated to Standard and is now considered GA or Stable.
+
+The values are:
+
+* `kubernetes.io/h2c` - HTTP/2 over cleartext as described in
+  [RFC7540](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7540)
+* `kubernetes.io/ws` - WebSocket over cleartext as described in
+  [RFC6445](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6455)
+* `kubernetes.io/wss` - WebSocket over TLS as described in
+  [RFC6455](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6455)
+
+These can now be used with Gateway API to describe the protocol to use for
+connections to Kubernetes Services. For more information, refer to [GEP
+1911](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/geps/gep-1911/).
+
+The relevant feature names this for conformance tests and GatewayClass status
+reporting are:
+
+* `HTTPRouteBackendProtocolH2C` for H2C support, when
+  `service.spec.ports[].appProtocol` is `kubernetes.io/h2c`.
+* `HTTPRouteBackendProtocolWebSocket` for Websocket support, when
+  `service.spec.ports[].appProtocol` is `kubernetes.io/ws` or
+  `kubernetes.io/wss`.
+
+This feature's status is **Extended**, meaning that it is _optional_ for
+implementations to support. If you're using Experimental Channel, you can refer
+to the `supportedFeatures` field in the `status` of any GatewayClass.
+
+Relevant PRs:
+* Backend Protocol Selection is no longer experimental and is now part of
+  HTTPRoute Extended Conformance by @dprotaso in
+  [#3108](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3108)
+
+### Other Standard channel changes
+
+* Increased the limit on HTTPRoute matches from 8 to 64 by @howardjohn in
+  [#3205](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3205)
+* Adds the GatewayClassConditionReason "Unsupported" and clarifies when
+  GatewayClassConditionReason "InvalidParameters" should be preferred by
+  @mikemorris in
+  [#3048](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3048)
+* HTTPRoute - 503 Status Code MAY be returned for Kubernetes Services who don't
+  have any healthy endpoints by @dprotaso in
+  [#3121](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3121)
+* Document the route kinds compatible for each protocolType by @abs007 in
+  [#2263](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2263)
+* Move GEP-995 to Implementable by @guicassolato in
+  [#3166](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3166)
+* Add policy label to BackendLBPolicy to make it recognizable in gwctl by
+  @gauravkghildiyal in
+  [#3195](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3195)
+* remove unnecessary S in ProtocolType validation by @spacewander in
+  [#3185](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3185)
+
+## Experimental Channel Additions and Changes
+
+The Experimental Channel is Gateway API's channel for testing out changes and
+gaining confidence with them before allowing them to go to Standard.
+
+**This channel may include features that are changed or removed later!**
+
+### BREAKING CHANGE
+
+The Experimental `supportedFeatures` field in GatewayClass `status` has changed
+from being a list of strings to being a list of objects/structs with a `name`
+field.
+
+This is to allow addding in extra information to each entry at a later date.
+
+Relevant PRs:
+
+* SupportedFeatures field in Gateway Class status are now presented as a list of
+  objects by @LiorLieberman in
+  [#3200](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3200)
+
+### HTTPRoute Retry support
+
+[GEP-1731](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/geps/gep-1731/) described how to add
+configuration of retries on HTTPRoute objects, and in this release, this change
+has moved to Experimental.
+
+Please see the GEP reference document or the API reference for the details.
+
+This feature has graduated to Experimental amd should now be used for testing
+and verification purposes only. Experimental features may be changed or removed
+in a future version.
+
+This feature does not currently have a feature name defined.
+
+This feature's status is **Extended**, meaning that it is _optional_ for
+implementations to support.
+
+As there is no feature name or conformance tests available for this feature as
+yet, please see your implementation's documentation to see if it is supported.
+
+Relevant PRs:
+
+* Adds support for configuring retries in HTTPRoute by @mikemorris in
+  [#3301](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3301)
+* Adds `retry` stanza within HTTPRouteRule to configure retrying unsuccessful
+  requests to backends before sending a response to a client by @mikemorris in
+  [#3199](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3199)
+
+### Percentage-based request mirroring
+
+The existing Request Mirroring feature has been enhanced by allowing users to
+specify a percentage of requests they'd like mirrored. These changes are
+described in [GEP-3171](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/geps/gep-3171/).
+
+Please see the GEP reference document or the API reference for the details.
+
+This feature has graduated to Experimental amd should now be used for testing
+and verification purposes only. Experimental features may be changed or removed
+in a future version.
+
+This feature does not currently have a feature name defined.
+
+This feature's status is **Extended**, meaning that it is _optional_ for
+implementations to support.
+
+As there is no feature name or conformance tests available for this feature as
+yet, please see your implementation's documentation to see if it is supported.
+
+Relevant PRs:
+
+* Adding GEP 3171: Percentage-based Request Mirroring by @jakebennert in
+  [#3178](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3178)
+* Add API for GEP-3171 by @jakebennert in
+  [#3283](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3283)
+* Add Additional API Testing for GEP-3171 by @jakebennert in
+  [#3302](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3302)
+
+### Improvements to backend TLS configuration
+
+Some changes have been made to Gateway API's support for configuring TLS
+connections between the Gateway and backends.
+
+Gateway has a new Experimental field that contains configuration for the client
+certificate Gateways should use when connecting to Backends.
+
+The existing BackendTLSPolicy object has had additions as well:
+
+* Ability to specify SANs on BackendTLSPolicy
+* Add TLS options to BackendTLSPolicy to mirror TLS config on Gateways
+
+See [GEP-3155](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/geps/gep-3155/) for all the
+details.
+
+This feature has graduated to Experimental amd should now be used for testing
+and verification purposes only. Experimental features may be changed or removed
+in a future version.
+
+This feature does not currently have a feature name defined.
+
+This feature's status is **Extended**, meaning that it is _optional_ for
+implementations to support.
+
+As there is no feature name or conformance tests available for this feature as
+yet, please see your implementation's documentation to see if it is supported.
+
+Relevant PRs:
+
+* Add GEP-3155: Complete Backend mTLS Configuration by @mkosieradzki in
+  [#3180](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3180)
+* add api changes according to gep-3155 by @LiorLieberman in
+  [#3304](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3304)
+
+### Named Route Rules
+
+All Route Rule types (GRPCRouteRule, HTTPRouteRule, TCPRouteRule, TLSRouteRule
+and UDPRouteRule) have had a new, optional `name` field to support referencing
+individual rules by name.
+
+This name, if present, may be used in `status` and logging to indicate which
+route rule is being referenced in messages in a more readable way than an array
+index.
+
+This feature has graduated to Experimental amd should now be used for testing
+and verification purposes only. Experimental features may be changed or removed
+in a future version.
+
+This feature does not currently have a feature name defined.
+
+This feature's status is **Extended**, meaning that it is _optional_ for
+implementations to support.
+
+As there is no feature name or conformance tests available for this feature as
+yet, please see your implementation's documentation to see if it is supported.
+
+Relevant PRs:
+
+* Implement of GEP-995 by @howardjohn in
+  [#2985](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2985)
+* Docs: route rule name by @guicassolato in
+  [3299](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3299)
+
+
+
+## Other specification changes
+
+* Fix v1beta1 HTTPHeaderName alias by @spencerhance in
+  [#3127](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3127)
+* make update-codegen.sh runnable on Mac by @spacewander in
+  [#3186](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3186)
+* Add conformance tests for in-cluster Gateway infrastructure by @keithmattix in
+  [#3192](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3192)
+* Remove extra spacing in the API Specification aliases by @nuno-faria in
+  [#3218](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3218)
+* fix: allow the header based session persistence not to have AbsoluteTimeout by
+  @sanposhiho in
+  [#3215](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3215)
+* Update GRPCRoute GEP to standard by @xtineskim in
+  [#3227](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3227)
+* The generated conformance report API version is set to v1 instead of v1alpha1
+  by @mlavacca in
+  [#3153](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3153)
+* Use GRPCHeaderMatchType in GRPCHeaderMatch structure by @kevinpollet in
+  [#3252](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3252)
+* fix: inconsistent default reason for GatewayClass status (#3225) by @snorwin
+  in [#3257](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3257)
+* Fixing Mesh version references in docs by @robscott in
+  [#3073](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3073)
+* fix: Add BackendLBPolicy to experimental kustomization by @krouma in
+  [#3083](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3083)
+
+## Leadership changes
+
+In this release timeframe, Gateway API has been working on building our
+contributor pool and promoting more contributors up our contributor ladder.
+
+Congratulations to @mlavacca on being promoted into the core Gateway API
+maintainer team!
+
+Thanks to @keithmattix for all your work as one of the GAMMA leads, and
+congratulations to @mikemorris on being promoted into the GAMMA lead team.
+
+We've added two new GEP Reviewers: @kflynn and @arkodg
+
+Also promoted in the conformance team:
+
+* @LiorLieberman is now an Approver
+* @candita is now a Reviewer
+
+Last but most certainly not least, @guicassolato has become a reviewer for
+`gwctl`.
+
+Congratulations to everyone on the promotions, and thanks for your continued
+contributions to the Gateway API community!
+
+Relevant PRs:
+
+* Replace keithmattix as a mesh lead and replace with mikemorris by @keithmattix
+  in [#3109](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3109)
+* docs: add Mattia Lavacca as Gateway API maintainer by @shaneutt in
+  [#3231](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3231)
+* docs: add Flynn as a GEP reviewer by @shaneutt in
+  [#3253](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3253)
+* docs: promote Lior to conformance approver by @shaneutt in
+  [#3254](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3254)
+* Add Arko as GEP Reviewer by @shaneutt in
+  [#3255](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3255)
+* docs: add candita as conformance reviewer by @shaneutt in
+  [#3296](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3296)
+* docs: add guicassolato as gwctl reviewer by @shaneutt in
+  [#3303](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3303)
+
+## Testing
+
+* Features have been re-arranged to a struct containing metadata and feature
+  Name. The API Channel has been set as a field for such a struct in
+  [#3287](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3287)
+* Exposing grpc client interface as a option in the conformance suite in
+  [#3095](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3095)
+
+## `gwctl`
+
+In this release, gwctl is moving to a separate repo:
+[kubernetes-sigs/gwctl](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gwctl). This will
+enable a more flexible and independent release process. Significant new updates
+are coming to gwctl, follow the new repo for the latest updates on that project.
+
+Although these changes won't be part of Gateway API v1.2 and will instead be
+part of the separate gwctl release, we're noting them as they were merged while
+the project was part of this repo:
+
+* Describing Gateways and Backends will include a separate field showing
+  InheritedPolicies by @gauravkghildiyal in
+  [#3198](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3198)
+* Gwctl allows filtering results to only those related to the specified resource
+  (using the `--for` flag) by @gauravkghildiyal in
+  [#3068](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3068)
+* Show Events and Analysis when describing resources by @gauravkghildiyal in
+  [#3051](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3051)
+* The output of `gwctl describe httproute <NAME>` now includes more details by
+  @gauravkghildiyal in
+  [#3181](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3181)
+* Support wide output format for get commands (-o wide) and Replace `Print` in
+  BackendsPrinter with `PrintTable` by @deszhou in
+  [#3129](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3129)
+* Optimize print and reduce repeated logic. Maintain agreement with print
+  methods of other resources @deszhou in
+  [#3076](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3076)
+* Outputs ns for gateways in gwctl by @xtineskim in
+  [#3136](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3136)
+* gwctl performance improvements by @gauravkghildiyal in
+  [#3145](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3145)
+
+## Documentation Changes
+
+* Update and standardise admonitions by @craigbox in
+  [#3066](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3066)
+* docs: fix Istio version badge by @howardjohn in
+  [#3067](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3067)
+* fix: kind of CACertificateRefs should be ConfigMap by @reaver-flomesh in
+  [#3085](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3085)
+* Providing more detailed upgrade notes for v1.1 by @robscott in
+  [#3084](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3084)
+* Fix rendering of list in GEP-713 by @craigbox in
+  [#3113](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3113)
+* Remove description of GAMMA concepts as "experimental in v0.8". by @craigbox
+  in [#3114](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3114)
+* Correct PR link for GEP-995 implementation by @craigbox in
+  [#3107](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3107)
+* GEP-1324: Fix image path by @LionelJouin in
+  [#3105](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3105)
+* Add missing apiVersion in the referencegrant API docs by @spacewander in
+  [#3135](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3135)
+* Fix the missing example in HTTP rewrite by @spacewander in
+  [#3126](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3126)
+* chore(docs): GRPC and HTTP docs versions cleanup by @pmalek in
+  [#3163](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3163)
+* docs: Fix missing v1beta1, v1alpha3 API versions by @gcs278 in
+  [#3202](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3202)
+* chore: fix typo in gep-713 by @spacewander in
+  [#3236](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3236)
+* fix: deduplicate Declined status by @xmulligan in
+  [#3238](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3238)
+* add link for rfc 3986 by @whitneygriffith in
+  [#3240](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3240)
+* docs: partial reports can be submitted by @mlavacca in
+  [#3179](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3179)
+* issue-3260: Clarify a few points on Development Documentation. by @jgao1025 in
+  [#3261](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3261)
+* Correct indentation for nested list by @mkosieradzki in
+  [#3241](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3241)
+* docs: add issue and PR bumping section to CONTRIBUTING.md by @shaneutt in
+  [#3264](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3264)
+* geps: Add the missing trailing backtick to gep-3155 by @timflannagan in
+  [#3319](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3319)
+* feat: cel validation on multiple K8S versions by @mlavacca in
+  [#3316](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3316)
+* Fix typo in MESH-GRPC conformance test profile name by @unicell in
+  [#3315](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3315)
+
+## Testing and Conformance changes
+
+* tests(conformance): more precise logs by @pmalek in
+  [#3119](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3119)
+* Return the behaviour of a new default GRPC client instantiation for every
+  request by @ciarams87 in
+  [#3130](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3130)
+* fix: change report API version by @mlavacca in
+  [#3153](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3153)
+* Conformance Reporting to reflect v1.1.0 release by @xtineskim in
+  [#3088](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3088)
+* Add timeout between conformance test cases by @wstcliyu in
+  [#3243](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3243)
+* chore: added hack/verify-reports.sh script by @mlavacca in
+  [#3167](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3167)
+* feat: add useragent to conformance test run by @BobyMCbobs in
+  [#3211](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3211)
+* Expose peer certificates in round tripper response by @snehachhabria in
+  [#3110](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3110)
+* Update verify-all.sh:  added $t to explicitly tell which script had an issue
+  during a failed test by @TheInvincibleRalph in
+  [#3286](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3286)
+* chore: golangci.yml update by @mlavacca in
+  [#3317](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3317)
+
+
+## New Contributors
+* @krouma made their first contribution in
+  [#3083](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3083)
+* @reaver-flomesh made their first contribution in
+  [#3085](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3085)
+* @LionelJouin made their first contribution in
+  [#3105](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3105)
+* @czeslavo made their first contribution in
+  [#3152](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3152)
+* @ciarams87 made their first contribution in
+  [#3130](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3130)
+* @abs007 made their first contribution in
+  [#2263](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2263)
+* @nuno-faria made their first contribution in
+  [#3218](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3218)
+* @sanposhiho made their first contribution in
+  [#3215](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3215)
+* @jakebennert made their first contribution in
+  [#3178](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3178)
+* @mkosieradzki made their first contribution in
+  [#3180](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3180)
+* @xmulligan made their first contribution in
+  [#3238](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3238)
+* @snorwin made their first contribution in
+  [#3257](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3257)
+* @BobyMCbobs made their first contribution in
+  [#3211](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3211)
+* @jgao1025 made their first contribution in
+  [#3261](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3261)
+* @timflannagan made their first contribution in
+  [#3289](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3289)
+* @TheInvincibleRalph made their first contribution in
+  [#3286](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3286)
+* @unicell made their first contribution in
+  [#3315](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/3315)
+
+## Dependencies
+
+### Added
+
+- cel.dev/expr: v0.15.0
+- github.com/planetscale/vtprotobuf:
+  [0393e58](https://github.com/planetscale/vtprotobuf/tree/0393e58)
+
+### Changed
+
+- cloud.google.com/go/compute/metadata: v0.2.3 → v0.3.0
+- github.com/cespare/xxhash/v2: [v2.2.0 →
+  v2.3.0](https://github.com/cespare/xxhash/compare/v2.2.0...v2.3.0)
+- github.com/cncf/xds/go: [0fa0005 →
+  555b57e](https://github.com/cncf/xds/compare/0fa0005...555b57e)
+- github.com/envoyproxy/go-control-plane: [v0.12.0 →
+  1eb8caa](https://github.com/envoyproxy/go-control-plane/compare/v0.12.0...1eb8caa)
+- github.com/golang/glog: [v1.2.0 →
+  v1.2.1](https://github.com/golang/glog/compare/v1.2.0...v1.2.1)
+- github.com/miekg/dns: [v1.1.58 →
+  v1.1.62](https://github.com/miekg/dns/compare/v1.1.58...v1.1.62)
+- golang.org/x/crypto: v0.22.0 → v0.26.0
+- golang.org/x/mod: v0.17.0 → v0.18.0
+- golang.org/x/net: v0.24.0 → v0.28.0
+- golang.org/x/oauth2: v0.19.0 → v0.21.0
+- golang.org/x/sync: v0.7.0 → v0.8.0
+- golang.org/x/sys: v0.19.0 → v0.23.0
+- golang.org/x/telemetry: f48c80b → bda5523
+- golang.org/x/term: v0.19.0 → v0.23.0
+- golang.org/x/text: v0.14.0 → v0.17.0
+- golang.org/x/tools: v0.20.0 → v0.22.0
+- google.golang.org/appengine: v1.6.8 → v1.6.7
+- google.golang.org/genproto/googleapis/api: 6ceb2ff → ef581f9
+- google.golang.org/genproto/googleapis/rpc: 6ceb2ff → ef581f9
+- google.golang.org/genproto: 6ceb2ff → f966b18
+- google.golang.org/grpc/cmd/protoc-gen-go-grpc: v1.3.0 → v1.5.1
+- google.golang.org/grpc: v1.63.2 → v1.66.2
+- google.golang.org/protobuf: v1.33.0 → v1.34.2
+- k8s.io/api: v0.30.0 → v0.31.1
+- k8s.io/apiextensions-apiserver: v0.30.0 → v0.31.1
+- k8s.io/apimachinery: v0.30.0 → v0.31.1
+- k8s.io/client-go: v0.30.0 → v0.31.1
+- k8s.io/code-generator: v0.30.0 → v0.31.1
+
+### Removed
+- cloud.google.com/go/compute: v1.24.0
+
diff --git a/CHANGELOG/1.2-TEAM.md b/CHANGELOG/1.2-TEAM.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f52ba70025
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CHANGELOG/1.2-TEAM.md
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# v1.2 Release Team
+
+| Enhancement | Leads |
+| - | - |
+| Infrastructure Labels and Annotations | @keithmattix, @snorwin |
+| HTTPRoute Timeouts and Durations | @kflynn, @xtineskim |
+| BackendProtocol Support | @dprotaso |
+| HTTPRoute Retries | @mikemorris |
+| Percentage-based request mirroring | @jakebennert |
+| Backend TLS Config improvments | @mkosieradzki, @LiorLieberman |
+| Named Route Rules | @guicassolato, @howardjohn |
+| Conformance Profiles and Reports | @mlavacca, @shaneutt, @xtineskim |
+| Gateway API Maintainers | @mlavacca, @robscott, @shaneutt, @youngnick  |
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_backendlbpolicies.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_backendlbpolicies.yaml
index 6e8de4d58a..ff97a350d7 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_backendlbpolicies.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_backendlbpolicies.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   labels:
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_backendtlspolicies.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_backendtlspolicies.yaml
index 06968b72af..471ac0350c 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_backendtlspolicies.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_backendtlspolicies.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   labels:
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gatewayclasses.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gatewayclasses.yaml
index 5f283dfb9d..b2fdd9fad5 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gatewayclasses.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gatewayclasses.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: gatewayclasses.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gateways.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gateways.yaml
index 5da0aadefd..ec06f8cb4f 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gateways.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gateways.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: gateways.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_grpcroutes.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_grpcroutes.yaml
index b214f2e84f..a3729b56ed 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_grpcroutes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_grpcroutes.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: grpcroutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_httproutes.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_httproutes.yaml
index 8722dfd1f8..27ea316026 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_httproutes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_httproutes.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: httproutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_referencegrants.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_referencegrants.yaml
index 7000558195..dd199353ef 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_referencegrants.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_referencegrants.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: referencegrants.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_tcproutes.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_tcproutes.yaml
index ec1f383aa9..5e7be6bf1c 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_tcproutes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_tcproutes.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: tcproutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_tlsroutes.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_tlsroutes.yaml
index 68bd56dea5..3200ad5c2c 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_tlsroutes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_tlsroutes.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: tlsroutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_udproutes.yaml b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_udproutes.yaml
index 157ddd6c62..dd46f8a79d 100644
--- a/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_udproutes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/experimental/gateway.networking.k8s.io_udproutes.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: experimental
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: udproutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gatewayclasses.yaml b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gatewayclasses.yaml
index fcc7a9e905..22618494b8 100644
--- a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gatewayclasses.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gatewayclasses.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: standard
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: gatewayclasses.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gateways.yaml b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gateways.yaml
index 1e80e4b158..255961e8c2 100644
--- a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gateways.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_gateways.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: standard
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: gateways.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_grpcroutes.yaml b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_grpcroutes.yaml
index 1dab6e7c64..74c31b5c92 100644
--- a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_grpcroutes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_grpcroutes.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: standard
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: grpcroutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_httproutes.yaml b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_httproutes.yaml
index 21f8b30c08..5377ab013c 100644
--- a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_httproutes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_httproutes.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: standard
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: httproutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_referencegrants.yaml b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_referencegrants.yaml
index a80802e9fc..b78f1700ba 100644
--- a/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_referencegrants.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/standard/gateway.networking.k8s.io_referencegrants.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     api-approved.kubernetes.io: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/pull/2997
-    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-dev
+    gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version: v1.2.0-rc1
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/channel: standard
   creationTimestamp: null
   name: referencegrants.gateway.networking.k8s.io
diff --git a/conformance/utils/suite/suite_test.go b/conformance/utils/suite/suite_test.go
index 9afb53878c..5c516b4b35 100644
--- a/conformance/utils/suite/suite_test.go
+++ b/conformance/utils/suite/suite_test.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 						Name: "gateways.gateway.networking.k8s.io",
 						Annotations: map[string]string{
-							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-dev",
+							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 							consts.ChannelAnnotation:       "standard",
 						},
 					},
@@ -58,13 +58,13 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 						Name: "httproutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io",
 						Annotations: map[string]string{
-							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-dev",
+							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 							consts.ChannelAnnotation:       "standard",
 						},
 					},
 				},
 			},
-			expectedVersion: "v1.2.0-dev",
+			expectedVersion: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 			expectedChannel: "standard",
 		},
 		{
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 						Name: "gateways.gateway.networking.k8s.io",
 						Annotations: map[string]string{
-							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-dev",
+							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 							consts.ChannelAnnotation:       "standard",
 						},
 					},
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 						Name: "httproutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io",
 						Annotations: map[string]string{
-							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-dev",
+							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 							consts.ChannelAnnotation:       "standard",
 						},
 					},
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					},
 				},
 			},
-			expectedVersion: "v1.2.0-dev",
+			expectedVersion: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 			expectedChannel: "standard",
 		},
 		{
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 						Name: "gateways.gateway.networking.k8s.io",
 						Annotations: map[string]string{
-							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-dev",
+							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 							consts.ChannelAnnotation:       "standard",
 						},
 					},
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 						Name: "gateways.gateway.networking.k8s.io",
 						Annotations: map[string]string{
-							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-dev",
+							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 							consts.ChannelAnnotation:       "standard",
 						},
 					},
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 						Name: "httproutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io",
 						Annotations: map[string]string{
-							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-dev",
+							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 							consts.ChannelAnnotation:       "experimental",
 						},
 					},
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 						Name: "gateways.gateway.networking.k8s.io",
 						Annotations: map[string]string{
-							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-dev",
+							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 							consts.ChannelAnnotation:       "standard",
 						},
 					},
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ func TestGetAPIVersionAndChannel(t *testing.T) {
 					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 						Name: "httproutes.gateway.networking.k8s.io",
 						Annotations: map[string]string{
-							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-dev",
+							consts.BundleVersionAnnotation: "v1.2.0-rc1",
 						},
 					},
 				},
diff --git a/hack/update-codegen.sh b/hack/update-codegen.sh
index 052dc2995e..2608fc2c4f 100755
--- a/hack/update-codegen.sh
+++ b/hack/update-codegen.sh
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ readonly PROTOC_LINUX_X86_URL="${PROTOC_REPO}/releases/download/v${PROTOC_VERSIO
 readonly PROTOC_LINUX_X86_CHECKSUM="4805ba56594556402a6c327a8d885a47640ee363  ${PROTOC_BINARY}"
 
 readonly PROTOC_LINUX_ARM64_URL="${PROTOC_REPO}/releases/download/v${PROTOC_VERSION}/protoc-${PROTOC_VERSION}-linux-aarch_64.zip"
-readonly PROTOC_LINUX_ARM63_CHECKSUM="47285b2386f990da319e9eef92cadec2dfa28733  ${PROTOC_BINARY}"
+readonly PROTOC_LINUX_ARM64_CHECKSUM="47285b2386f990da319e9eef92cadec2dfa28733  ${PROTOC_BINARY}"
 
 readonly PROTOC_MAC_UNIVERSAL_URL="${PROTOC_REPO}/releases/download/v${PROTOC_VERSION}/protoc-${PROTOC_VERSION}-osx-universal_binary.zip"
 readonly PROTOC_MAC_UNIVERSAL_CHECKSUM="2a79d0eb235c808eca8de893762072b94dc6144c  ${PROTOC_BINARY}"
@@ -207,6 +207,9 @@ if [[ "${OS}" == "Linux" ]]; then
   elif [[ "$ARCH" == "arm64" ]]; then
     PROTOC_URL="$PROTOC_LINUX_ARM64_URL"
     PROTOC_CHECKSUM="$PROTOC_LINUX_ARM64_CHECKSUM"
+  elif [[ "$ARCH" == "aarch64" ]]; then
+    PROTOC_URL="$PROTOC_LINUX_ARM64_URL"
+    PROTOC_CHECKSUM="$PROTOC_LINUX_ARM64_CHECKSUM"
   else
     echo "Architecture ${ARCH} is not supported on OS ${OS}." >/dev/stderr
     exit 1
diff --git a/pkg/consts/consts.go b/pkg/consts/consts.go
index 651fba6f26..0f6e889090 100644
--- a/pkg/consts/consts.go
+++ b/pkg/consts/consts.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ const (
 
 	// BundleVersion is the value used for the "gateway.networking.k8s.io/bundle-version" annotation.
 	// These value must be updated during the release process.
-	BundleVersion = "v1.2.0-dev"
+	BundleVersion = "v1.2.0-rc1"
 
 	// ApprovalLink is the value used for the "api-approved.kubernetes.io" annotation.
 	// These value must be updated during the release process.