On the day of her 8th wedding anniversary with Prince William, Queen Elizabeth honored Kate Middleton with a new royal title! Her Majesty named the Duchess of Cambridge as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order — the highest rank in the Order and the equivalent of a Knight.

Buckingham Palace announced the good news in a statement on Monday, April 29. “The Queen has been pleased to make the following appointment to the Royal Victorian Order,” the message read in a series of tweets on the royal family’s official Twitter page: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, for services to the Sovereign.”

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According to the statement and the royal family’s website, the appointment is “the personal gift of the Sovereign, this honor is awarded to those who have served The Queen or the monarchy in a particular way.” Kate’s designation comes at an exciting time considering the service for the order will supposedly be held at Windsor Castle on Friday, May 3, Majesty Magazine reported.

Kate will be joining many of her fellow royal family members who have been appointed to the Royal Victorian Order. The Queen’s sons, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were previously appointed as Fellow Knights and Dames Grand Cross. The 93-year-old monarch’s husband, Prince Philip, was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 2017 on the couple’s milestone 70th wedding anniversary. Prince Harry was also named a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 2015.

 

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It’s no surprise that this title is well-deserved. Not only has Kate worked tirelessly while supporting causes of her own — including advocating for good education to ensure beneficial development of children in the early years of their life — but she’s also supported causes on behalf of her royal family members.

On countless occasions, the mom-of-three has helped raise awareness about mental health alongside William, 36, and Harry, 34,  and she’s also traveled to the Commonwealth on behalf of the Elizabeth before. We can’t wait to see what other amazing things Kate accomplishes through the Royal Victorian Order!