Queen Elizabeth II gave her granddaughter-in-law Kate Middleton a special honor on her eight wedding anniversary with Prince William. The royal couple had a fairytale wedding and tied the knot inside the inside Westminster Abbey back in 2011.
On Monday, April 29, Her Majesty named the Duchess of Cambridge as the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order - which is reportedly the highest possible rank. Reports say Queen Victoria established the Royal Victorian Order back in 186, allowing her to recognize those who have helped her or represented her.
The ruling monarch chooses who's receiving the honor. So, it is possible Queen Elizabeth considered her granddaughter-in-law's work as a royal family member family, thus, granting the special honor. Other Knights and Dames Grand Cross include Queen Elizabeth's sons Prince Edward and Prince Andrew, as well as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
In 1937, the position of Grand Master of the Order was reportedly established and occupied by Her Majesty's mother, the Queen Mother, until her death back in 1992. Then in 2007, the Queen appointed her daughter Princess Anne for the position.
Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip became a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 2017, which happens to be the couple's 70th wedding anniversary. For the lower ranks in the Order, they were usually given to palace employees, as well as long-standing staffers for the dedicated service.
In 2015, Prince Harry was named a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. And while he accompanied Middleton last week at the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London, the Duke of Sussex wore the Maltese cross - which is a symbol of his position around his neck.
The Knight or Dame Grand Cross' insignia features an ornate Maltese cross, and an eight-pointed silver star surrounds it, and the size of the badge is also larger compared for the higher ranks. Queen Elizabeth's special honor for Middleton arrives on a significant day as it marks the 8th wedding anniversary of the Duchess and Prince William.
Over the past years, the Duchess of Cambridge has supported her causes including the early years' development of children. Additionally, she traveled the Commonwealth on behalf of Queen Elizabeth and helped raise mental health awareness alongside her husband and Prince Harry. The special honor is a massive boost for Middleton, which also comes amid rumors of recent strains on her marriage.
