Kate Middleton has received a historic honor from her father-in-law, King Charles III.
On Tuesday, the British monarch appointed Kate a Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour. Founded by King George V in 1917, the order recognizes accomplishments in art, science and medicine, and public service, and is among the country’s most distinguished royal appointments.
Kate is the first member of the royal family ever appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour.
Royal Drama Catch-Up
At the same ceremony, Charles appointed Kate’s husband, Prince William, as Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
The king was himself a Great Master of the order when he was the Prince of Wales, from 1974 to 2022. His predecessors include Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1942–1974) and Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1901–1942).
King George I officially established the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in 1725, but it is believed to date back as far as the eighth century. Appointments are awarded to members of the military or civil service for exemplary service.
Charles also appointed Queen Camilla as Grand Master and First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Membership in this order honors a broader cross section of society, both military and civilian. This appointment was previously held by Charles’s father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, from 1953 to 2021, as well as by Queen Mary (1936–53), and King George VI as The Prince of Wales (from 1917 to 1936).
The appointment of the Knights and Ladies of the Garter is in the reigning monarch’s right, and does not require Prime Ministerial advice.
Each year, the appointment of the Companions to the Order of the Garter is celebrated with a procession and service in the grounds of Windsor Castle, and this time around, the Garter Service will take place in the summer at St. George’s Chapel.
As Bazaar previously reported, Charles and Kate are closer than ever as they support one another through their respective cancer battles. The monarch, who revealed his diagnosis in February, is undergoing outpatient treatment; while Kate, who shared her diagnosis in an emotional video in March, is being treated with preventative chemotherapy.
In a statement shared with Bazaar last month, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on behalf of Charles: “His Majesty is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.’ Following their time in hospital together, HM has ‘remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.’ ”
“Both Their Majesties ‘will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time,’ ” the spokesperson added.
