Publications
Partners
Kate, Princess of Wales can add another glowing title to an already impressive resumé.
This week saw King Charles appointing his daughter-in-law as the Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour.
This is the first time in history a royal has been named to this order.
The Order of the Companions of Honour was founded by King George V in 1917 to recognise those who've made a major contribution in the arts, sciences, medicine and public service.
READ MORE | ‘You are sorely missed’: Fergie leads birthday tributes for late Queen Elizabeth
Charles said he gave Kate the honour to recognise the “esteem [in which] she is held” and her “taking on more responsibilities”.
The princess is now part of a select group to hold the title, which includes JK Rowling, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Desmond Tutu and Elton John.
Kate’s new appointment follows a tough year, which saw her and Charles both diagnosed with cancer, resulting in both having to withdraw from public duties.
Insiders say their dual diagnoses - the details of which have not been disclosed - have strengthened their already close bond.
Buckingham Palace said the monarch was “so proud of Catherine” for her courage in announcing her cancer news to the world in a video on 22 March.
Meanwhile the king also bestowed a special title on his son William, appointing him as Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
READ MORE | Football-mad Prince William and Prince George spotted cheering on their beloved Aston Villa
Recipients of the Order, one of the royal family's most prestigious orders of chivalry, are usually senior military officers or senior civil servants, who have performed exemplary service.
Charles previously held the role of Great Master from 1974 to 2022.
Meanwhile, a photo of the Wales' youngest son, Prince Louis, released to celebrate his sixth birthday and taken by his mother, is a clear message, say experts, that the princess is ready to forgive the public for their “scurrilous speculation" about her whereabouts.
Historian Dr Tessa Dunlop says Kensington Palace could “easily have let this birthday go” since Prince Louis is only six and is not in line to inherit the throne.
“But by choosing to share a photograph taken by Kate, the Princess of Wales is messaging that she will forgive us and our scurrilous speculation if we quietly let her resume the role of royal photographer-in-chief.”
Dunlop adds the photo also shows that Kate is to a degree carrying on as normal. “The release of the photo is a sign that Kate, like the king, is managing cancer treatment alongside other duties and tasks.”
Sources: people.com, usmagazine.com
