Princess Kate has become a Companion of Honour, a special award granted to those who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine or public service over a long period of time.
Also referred to as a junior class of the Order of Merit, the Order of the Companions of Honour was founded by George V in 1917 to recognise services of national importance.
There are only 65 members at any one time, and Kate will join the likes of Dame Maggie Smith, Lord Coe, Stephen Hawking and Desmond Tutu.
The Princess of Wales, 42, has dutifully served as a senior royal for 13 years, since marrying Prince William in April 2011.
Last month, the King praised the bravery of his “beloved daughter-in-law” for revealing her cancer diagnosis to the world.
The Prince of Wales has also received a new appointment, joining the Order of the Bath as a Great Master, which recognises the work of senior military officials and civil servants.
He is following in the footsteps of his father who was a Great Master from 1974-2022.
The King has also appointed his wife Camilla to be a Grand Master and First Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Four new companions of the Order of the Garter have also been announced, including the Duchess of Gloucester and Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber.
Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, who is the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the Western Balkans and served in the UK Armed Forces for 49 years, and Lord Ajay Kumar Kakkar who is the Chancellor of the University of Lincoln and has previously been recognised for his services to healthcare.
It is a prestigious honour to join the Order of the Garter, which is the most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.
Each year it is celebrated with a procession and service in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
