Queen Elizabeth skipped the traditional gifts and opted to give Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, a special honor instead for her eighth wedding anniversary to the Queen’s grandson, Prince William. Buckingham Palace announced Monday that Kate was appointed to Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen.
According to the royal family’s website, the honor is used to recognize the services to Queen or the monarch and is the highest rank in the order personally granted by the Queen.
Image via @kensingtonroyal/Instagram
The Royal Victorian Order was established by Queen Victoria in 1896 to honor those that had helped or represented her, E! News reports. This new honor likely was given to Kate considering her work as a member of the royal family.
Kate now joins a group of fellow Knights and Dames Grand Cross, including the Queen’s sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. According to People, the role of Grand Master of the Order was created in 1937 and the Queen Mother occupied the position until her death in 2002. Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth’s daughter, was later appointed to the spot in 2007.
The Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, made granted the title of Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order on the couple’s 70th wedding anniversary in 2017. Kate’s brother-in-law, Prince Harry, was named a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 2015.
The honor comes just weeks after Kate and the Queen stepped out together to visit King’s College London. It was the pair’s first solo outing in seven years, ABC News reports. The two were seen sharing a blanket in the car as they went to visit the college.
The honor also marked Kate’s eighth wedding anniversary to Prince William. Kensington Palace shared a series of photos on Instagram from the fairytale wedding, adding “Thank you for your lovely messages on The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding anniversary!”
Obviously, Kate’s new title was a lovely gift for her wedding anniversary.
Congratulations, Kate!