Kate Middleton's Historic Appointment by King Charles III Sparks Royal Buzz

Kate Middleton Makes History After Receiving New Royal Role From King Charles

Kate Middleton Chris Jackson/Getty Images

King Charles III is preparing to give Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William new royal titles.

On Tuesday, April 23, Charles, 75, named Kate, 42, as the Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour, making her the first Royal Companion of this order.

According to the British royal family website, the Companion of Honour is a special award given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts, science, medicine, or government over a long period of time. Some notable past recipients include actress Dame Maggie Smith, physicist Stephen Hawking, politician John Major, and bishop Desmond Tutu.

In a similar vein, William, aged 41, was chosen by his father to serve as the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. This position had been vacant since 2022 when Charles became the king.

Members of the military or civil service can receive the position as a recognition for outstanding service.

William and Kate were given their new appointments on the same day they marked their son Prince Louis' birthday.

Prince Louis celebrated his 6th birthday on April 23, as shared by the Prince and Princess of Wales on Instagram. They posted a new photo of their youngest child and expressed gratitude for the well-wishes. The couple also has two older children, Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, 8.

Kate Middleton Makes History After Receiving New Royal Role From King Charles

Kate Middleton and Prince William Chris Jackson/Getty Images for TLA Worldwide

In a break with tradition, the couple didn’t share the image with media outlets in advance as they have in the past.

Both William and Kate are keeping this year's celebration plans private. They are focused on providing a sense of normalcy for their children while the Princess of Wales undergoes cancer treatment.

Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis in March after facing a challenging couple of months, putting an end to the speculation about her health.

In a video released worldwide, she shared that in January, she had a major abdominal surgery in London. Initially, it was believed that her condition was non-cancerous, but tests later revealed the presence of cancer. The surgery was successful, but her medical team recommended a preventive chemotherapy treatment, which she has started in the early stages.

Although Kate mentioned that she is feeling better each day, a source informed We magazine in March that she chose to keep certain details private to allow her children time to adapt.

The source explained that they decided to wait to share the news with everyone until their children were on Easter break from school. This way, they would have time to digest the news before it became a topic of conversation worldwide.

Editor's P/S:

The bestowal of new royal titles upon Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William by King Charles III is a testament to their growing prominence within the British monarchy. Kate's appointment as the first Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour recognizes her significant contributions to the arts, science, medicine, and government, while William's role as the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath honors his dedication to the military and civil service. These appointments underscore the royal couple's commitment to serving the nation and their dedication to upholding the traditions of the monarchy.

It is also noteworthy that the couple chose to keep Prince Louis' birthday celebration private this year in light of Kate's recent cancer diagnosis. Their decision reflects their desire to prioritize their children's well-being and provide them with a sense of normalcy during a challenging time. Kate's open and honest disclosure of her health condition has been met with widespread support and admiration, demonstrating her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The royal family's continued focus on family and their commitment to public service exemplify the values that have made the British monarchy an enduring symbol of national unity and pride.