In September 2022, Kate Middleton received one of her greatest honors when she became the Princess of Wales, following King Charles’s accession to the throne after Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
One day, she will be known as Queen Consort—a title that reflects her non-royal origins—but it’s unlikely to unsettle her. Among her titles, one in particular stands out: in April 2024, on St. George’s Day, she became the first royal in history to be named a Royal Companion of the Order of the Garter of the Companions of Honor.
A First for the Royal Family
Kate was granted the rare distinction by the King just 18 months after assuming the title of Princess of Wales. According to the Royal Insider, her appointment marked the first time a royal family member had ever been included in the Companions of Honor.
The order, founded by King George V—Charles’s great-grandfather—recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in areas such as the arts, medicine, science, and public service. While membership is limited to 65 individuals at a time, Kate’s inclusion as a Royal Companion was seen as a significant gesture of support from Charles. The recognition came the same year that both he and Kate publicly revealed their cancer diagnoses within weeks of each other.
