Princess Kate Receives Historic Title From King Charles

Princess Catherine has received a historic honor from her father-in-law, King Charles III.

On Tuesday at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, 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.

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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 (1942-74), and Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1901-42).

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 his wife, 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 when he was Prince of Wales (1917-36).

The king also appointed four new Companions to the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior of the British orders of chivalry, including musical theater composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was named a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Appointments to the Order of the Garter are traditionally a yearly event, celebrated with a procession and service on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Making the appointments is one of the reigning monarch's rights, and does not require consultation with the U.K. prime minister.

As Bazaar has reported, King Charles has always been fond of Princess Kate, and they are closer than ever as they support one another through their respective battles with cancer. 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 receiving preventative chemotherapy.

In a statement shared with Bazaar in March, 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.

Rosa Sanchez is the senior news editor at Harper's Bazaar, working on news as it relates to entertainment, fashion, and culture. Previously, she was a news editor at ABC News and, prior to that, a managing editor of celebrity news at American Media. She has also written features for Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue, Forbes, and The Hollywood Reporter, among other outlets. 

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